In Memory Of David Thomas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 5m 43.32s

Ballybegg^b1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 129| D

10/1

Dual hurdle winner last season but has gone the wrong way since, pulled up on both starts over the larger obstacles recently. Back over timber with blinkers on but plenty to prove at present.

Form: 2119-PP

Tap Tap Boom²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Jay Tidball⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 128

11/4

Fairly useful hurdler who proved he retains his ability after 13 months off when third under this rider at Hereford recently. May well come on from that outing, so he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 7824/2-3

Faire Part Sivola²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: H Whittington| OR: 125| D

16/5

Rejuvenated on back of a wind op/yard switch when successful at Ffos Las (20f) in October. Creditable efforts on both starts since and he's not without hope dropped a couple of pounds.

Form: F30-134

No Word Of A Lie²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: O Signy| OR: 123| D

3/1

Fairly useful in bumpers and off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when making all at Sedgefield 4 weeks ago, seen to maximum effect under this rider. Worth a market check on handicap debut.

Form: 422-251

Dorking Boy^h,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 122| D

4/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who returned to action with victory over the larger obstacles at Ayr (20.5f) in October. Not disgraced over hurdles since (too free last time) so hood quickly reinstated.

Form: 818-164

Bubbles Of Gold⁹⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 117

12/1

Winning Irish pointer who probably didn't need to improve to get off the mark at Warwick back in early-2019. Off since, so probably best watched given his mammoth 996 day absence.

Form: 162321/

Non-Runners

Jan Maat²¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: N B King J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Tap Tap Boom (11/4), No Word Of A Lie (3/1), Faire Part Sivola (16/5), Dorking Boy (4/1), Ballybegg (10/1), Bubbles Of Gold (12/1), Jan Maat (25/1)

TAP TAP BOOM proved he retains a good portion of his ability with a pleasing return to action when third at Hereford just under 3 weeks ago. He may well come on from that outing, so he gets the verdict to notch a first success over timber on these shores. The hood is quickly reinstated for Dorking Boy with him having failed to settle last time so he's feared most, ahead of Faire Part Sivola.