Caldew Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 22.69s

Zabeel Champion⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 116

5/4

Smart handicapper on Flat. Winning start over hurdles at Leicester (2m) in November. Could only match that form when second there since but Flat ability provides potential for better in handicaps.

Form: 12

Malpas^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 113| CD

16/5

Improved in the jumping department to land C&D novice at Carlisle on return in October. Has run creditablky in defeat since and should give another good account of himself.

Form: FF-1542

Applaus^p,t⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110| CD

12/1

Unreliable type who turned in one of his better efforts when second of 10 at Southwell in December but failed to back it up when only sixth at Wetherby on Boxing Day. C&D winner.

Form: 484-526

Global Agreement¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 102

5/2

Another from his yard who has had a productive time of things, winning over 2m on heavy at Lingfield in December and Wetherby in January. Likely would have hit the frame but for falling 2 out latest.

Form: 39121F

Vino's Choice^t¹⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: P W Wadge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 90

18/1

Doubled his tally over fences at Perth last June but absent since finishing fourth in a chase there the following month. 0-12 over hurdles and watching brief advised back from a break.

Form: 2P-51P4

Non-Runners

Saint Arvans⁵⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: M A Barnes J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Zabeel Champion (5/4), Global Agreement (5/2), Malpas (16/5), Applaus (12/1), Saint Arvans (14/1), Vino's Choice (18/1)

There should be more to come from smart Flat performer ZABEEL CHAMPION over hurdles and he has the potential to outclass this opposition on handicap debut. Malpas and Global Agreement can fight it out for the forecast spot.