Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 50.3s

Breaking Waves^b¹¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: H Whittington| OR: 122| D

28/1

Scored at Southwell in June but seemingly reverted to his unwilling tendencies on his most recent outings, taking little interest at Cheltenham when last seen nearly 4 months ago. Not one to trust.

Form: 412270

Royaume Uni²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

11/8

Ready winner of 2m Plumpton handicap in October and wasn't disgraced when eighth in the Betfair Hurdle last time, unable to sustain effort after pulling too hard. Leading contender back down in grade.

Form: 24-1338

Hell Red^t⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122

7/1

Yet to build on last season's promising juvenile efforts, again well beaten when last seen at Taunton in December. Lurks on a good mark if finding his form, but is tough to fancy on recent showings.

Form: 391-5P0

Dreaming Blue^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 119| CD

12/1

Off mark over hurdles at the second attempt in January and ran to a similar level when third under a penalty 20 days ago, both races over C&D. Probably needs to improve to defy this opening mark.

Form: 8-13

Grangeclare Glory^b,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 116

9/1

Won at Newton Abbot in October and has largely run respectably since, though folded tamely at Sandown (heavy) last time. Likely to give his running, but seemingly summed up by his mark at present.

Form: 125336

Manvers House^p,t1³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 111

4/1

Remains a maiden after 16 runs but produced his best effort of the season when third at Exeter last month. Could pose a threat from his lowest career mark if in the same form this time.

Form: 22-PP53

Island Run⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 107

4/1

Well-bred type who showed much improved form to get off the mark at Wincanton (15f, heavy) 60 days ago. Up in trip for handicap debut, his mark looks workable and he likely has better to come.

Form: 9571

Forecasts

Royaume Uni (11/8), Island Run (4/1), Manvers House (4/1), Hell Red (7/1), Grangeclare Glory (9/1), Dreaming Blue (12/1), Breaking Waves (28/1)

ROYAUME UNI is worth a try at this trip and has been holding his form well in stronger races this season. Island Run is from a family Philip Hobbs has had success with and he looked like a horse on the up when getting off the mark last time. Manvers House can make his way into a place again.