Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 19.93s

Boss Man Fred³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| CD

5/2

Inadequate tests when well held both starts this season after a 15-month absence but built a good record over staying trips in 2019/20 and the demands of this contest should see him to better effect.

Form: 114/3-67

Mister Watson^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 122

20/1

Upped his game to score at Lingfield in December and perhaps had excuses (ground/tactics) when well held the last twice, though he's never been the most reliable and is yet to convince in this grade.

Form: 4-25156

Gredin⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120

11/2

Made a successful start under Rules in a 2½m Carlisle novice in October and likely would've won at Catterick last time if not for error at last. No chances taken with opening mark but he's unexposed.

Form: P2-152

Mr Washington^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 117| D

17/2

Prolific last season and returned in fine form this campaign with a win at Chepstow and a close second at Uttoxeter. Rare poor effort last time but would have claims if able to bounce back.

Form: 114-124

Half Track⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115

11/10

Progressive hurdler who opened his account in 21f novice at Ayr 42 days ago, battling well. Goes into handicaps now on an attractive mark and a big player with this longer trip a plus too.

Form: 5-431

Silva Eclipse^b²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 110| D

16/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser at his best but has slid down the weights this season after an uninspiring series of performances, folding tamely at Kelso latest after briefly looking to hold a chance.

Form: 5-57P85

Forecasts

Half Track (11/10), Boss Man Fred (5/2), Gredin (11/2), Mr Washington (17/2), Silva Eclipse (16/1), Mister Watson (20/1)

The form of HALF TRACK's Ayr win is working out well, with the second not disgraced in Grade 2 company on his next start and the third winning twice since, so he's taken to make use of a workable opening mark. Fellow handicap debutant Gredin has already proven his aptitude for stamina tests and can go well, whilst Boss Man Fred catches the eye from a reduced mark back over a more suitable trip.