SBK Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 49.0s

Thelasthighking⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Finn Lambert⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 116

2/1

Placed in both bumpers and left hurdling debut form behind when second at Fontwell on Boxing Day. Failed to repeat that effort at Exeter but of interest now handicapping.

Form: 2-32524

Destrier^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 116

9/2

Smart 2m novice chaser in 2018/19 but didn't appear to be the force of old last season. Down in the weights and has hinted at a revival over hurdles the last twice. First try beyond 2m.

Form: 58-7954

Confirmation Bias¹¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 112

9/1

Wincanton maiden hurdle winner a year ago. Didn't taken to fences on his Lingfield return in November and now reverts to hurdles after another break. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 02012-P

Stokes^t1⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 109| BF

15/8

Bumper winner back in 2020 who has finished runner-up all 3 starts over hurdles, showing improved form on handicap debut at Sedgefield (16.8f) latest. Tongue tied now up in trip and much respected.

Form: 1/222

Twotwothree³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 107| D

17/2

Three-time winning chaser in 2019/2020. Has shaped as if retaining ability this term, no match for a progressive one back over hurdles at Catterick last month but beat the rest comfortably enough.

Form: 431-4F2

Maskia²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 97

20/1

Safely held in a bumper/trio of novice hurdles but will at least hold more chance now handicapping.

Form: 440796

Forecasts

Stokes (15/8), Thelasthighking (2/1), Destrier (9/2), Twotwothree (17/2), Confirmation Bias (9/1), Maskia (20/1)

THELASTHIGHKING failed to repeat his Fontwell second at Exeter last time, but he's worth another chance now going handicapping under a handy 10 lb claimer. Stokes can give another good account up in trip, while Twotwothree is another to consider with the Greenall yard going better now than earlier in the season.