John Robert Wills Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:29 | Winning time: 6m 36.2s

Schalke^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| DWS

5/4

Has improved for stepping up in trip on his last 2 starts, off the mark in handicap at Market Rasen (23.1f) in February before following up at Catterick (25.3f) last month. Open to further progress.

Form: 457711

Silva Eclipse^b²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 113| C

6/1

Back to winning ways in handicap hurdle at Doncaster (24.4f) in February before creditable third there next time. However, now has a bit to prove after finishing well held at Uttoxeter.

Form: P85135

Phil De Pail^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 112

5/2

Fair bumper performer. Similar form first 2 hurdle starts and perhaps unsuited by heavy ground when pulled up at Uttoxeter latest. Back on track in 1st time tongue strap at Haydock. Can go well again.

Form: 64-52P2

Court Dreaming^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 110| CD

10/3

Back in cheekpieces, returned to form from out of the blue when scoring in handicap over C&D 20 days ago. Well positioned that day but he still remains on a workable mark based on old form.

Form: 62P481

Non-Runners

Don Brocco³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: H Graham & G Rutherford J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Schalke (5/4), Phil De Pail (5/2), Court Dreaming (10/3), Don Brocco (4/1), Silva Eclipse (6/1)

SCHALKE has looked a different proposition since upped to around 3m, winning at Market Rasen and Catterick on his last 2 starts. He remains unexposed at staying distances and a 5 lb rise might not be enough to prevent him landing the hat-trick. Don Brocco also arrives bidding to make it a third win in a row and is respected, with Phil de Pail completing the shortlist for the in-form Oliver Greenall yard,