Short Run Press Celebrating 40 Years Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 40.22s

An Tailliur¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125| BF

9/2

Is improving at a rate of knots, readily completing the five-timer in 23f Exeter handicap prior to unseating at the first at Cheltenham last time. Remains open to progress.

Form: 11111U

Grisbi De Berce¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: A King| OR: 125

9/1

Proved a disappointment under a penalty at Kempton after winning at Huntingdon, though was set to resume progress when falling last (would have won) at Market Rasen on final start in May. 5 lb higher.

Form: 7/561-5F

Dargiannini⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123| BF

11/4

Impressive Sedgefield bumper winner who landed the odds in back-to-back novice hurdles at that course in March. Pulled up in Silver Trophy at Chepstow on yard/handicap bow but retains potential.

Form: 1211-P

Opening Bid^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: C J Down| OR: 118

17/2

Newton Abbot novice winner in the spring who doubled his tally with victory in 2m Warwick handicap 20 days ago, staying on well. This is tougher but he's still lightly raced, so should go well again.

Form: 51-5531

Guernesey⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117| D

5/2

Stepped up markedly on reappearance run when gaining breakthrough win at Exeter last month. Just edged out in the dying strides from 5 lb higher at Warwick last week and seems sure to go well again.

Form: 237-412

Molliana^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 108| CD

11/1

Likeable mare who brought up the 4-timer over hurdles in 10-runner handicap over C&D 2 weeks ago, doing well to get there late after starting her effort with just 1 behind. Will continue to run well.

Form: 6-41111

Mister Allegro¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 119

12/1

Modest on the level but made a fine start over hurdles, scoring at Ludlow and Wincanton. Found out in better company at Cheltenham but now switches to handicaps with a handy weight-for-age allowance.

Form: 118

Forecasts

Guernesey (5/2), Dargiannini (11/4), An Tailliur (9/2), Opening Bid (17/2), Grisbi De Berce (9/1), Molliana (11/1), Mister Allegro (12/1)

Hard to rule out any but GUERNESEY was edged out only in the dying strides by a subsequent winner at Warwick last week and looks the most persuasive option from an unchanged mark (due to go up 4 lb). An Tailliur has been on a roll and remains open to improvement following an early unseat at Cheltenham, while Dargiannini retains potential judged on his exploits for Harry Whittington last season.