Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 52.30s

Ballintubber Boy⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Finn Lambert⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| D

10/1

Winner of a Stratford maiden and Hereford novice on first 2 starts in this sphere. However, he was pulled up when making his handicap debut off this mark at Fontwell when last seen on Boxing Day.

Form: 511P

Happy Hollow⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 118

16/1

Opened hurdles account in a Uttoxeter maiden last February, and good start to this season when runner-up in handicaps at Hexham and Bangor. Latest effort can be excused and he merits respect.

Form: 414-22P

Theme Tune^p³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 118

8/1

Perfect start over hurdles last winter, winning in the mud at Ludlow and Carlisle. Progress has stalled since switched to handicaps, though, and he needs to improve in the jumping department.

Form: 3114-40

In Rem⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 115| CD

7/4

Has proved to be a different proposition since switched to handicaps for new yard, completing the 4-timer over this C&D on New Year's Eve. Up another 5 lb, but he could have further progress in him.

Form: 05-1111

Mr Harp¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Alain Cawley| T: T Gallagher| OR: 114

13/2

Good second off 9 lb higher in 25f handicap here last winter. Yet to hit the same heights this time round and recent chase debut was a non-event, but he's dangerous to discount off this reduced mark.

Form: 24-555P

Colonel Manderson⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

15/8

Failed to complete on return/debut for new yard over fences, but has improved back hurdling the last twice, latterly opening his account in 24.3f Southwell handicap. Big player despite 7 lb rise.

Form: 76-4F21

Forecasts

In Rem (7/4), Colonel Manderson (15/8), Mr Harp (13/2), Theme Tune (8/1), Ballintubber Boy (10/1), Happy Hollow (16/1)

MR HARP barely went a yard on his recent chase debut, but this relatively quick turnaround suggests that all is well and he is worth chancing off a reduced mark back in this sphere off a potentially handy mark. In Rem and Colonel Manderson are obvious dangers, particularly the former who has done nothing but progress for his new yard this season and may not have finished improving yet.