Follow AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 7m 7.47s

Up With The Play^v⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Paddy Barlow⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 85

4/1

Fair maiden on the Flat in Ireland. Best effort for this yard when third at Hexham last week and worth a go at this even longer trip.

Form: F85573

The Very Thing^v¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 79

12/1

Galvanised by first-time visor when surprise winner of 9-runner handicap chase at Catterick (25.2f, good to soft) in January. Reported to have bled next time (17 days ago). Back over hurdles now.

Form: 545P1P

Tanora^b1,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: S England| OR: 79| BF

11/4

Good second at Catterick on New Year's Day. Creditable efforts on next 2 starts but struggled over this C&D the last twice. Change of headgear.

Form: 424256

Cresswell Queen^h,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 76

9/2

Unplaced in an Irish point and little impact under Rules so far, including on handicap bow latest.

Form: 0/45-560

Now Is The Winter^b¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 74

3/1

Stratford bumper winner during first spell with this yard back in 2019 and easily best effort since when second over hurdles over C&D last month. Struggled on heavy ground at Huntingdon since.

Form: P9P-826

Stitch Up^b1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 65

13/2

Maiden who hasn't offered a great deal in 9 starts over hurdles so far, pulled up on his last 3 outings. Blinkered for 1st time.

Form: 88-9PPP

Forecasts

Tanora (11/4), Now Is The Winter (3/1), Up With The Play (4/1), Cresswell Queen (9/2), Stitch Up (13/2), The Very Thing (12/1)

UP WITH THE PLAY got back on track stepped up in trip when third at Hexham last week and a repeat of that performance should see him go close off the same mark up in distance again. Heavy ground was a possible excuse for Now Is The Winter at Huntingdon last time so is worth another chance having been a good second over this C&D the time before.