Preventapest Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 18.35s

Espinator^p1²³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: A Wintle| OR: 108

6/1

Really got his act together last season, completing the hat-trick with plenty in hand at Newton Abbot when last seen in September. Handicapper taken a swipe with a 13 lb rise but he's clearly heading in the right direction. Cheekpieces applied for this reappearance.

Form: 2/33111-

Dalkingstown^t1¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 105| CD

15/8

Dual point winner who came good over fences in Sedgefield handicap (26.3f) in January. Similar form last time when runner-up at Uttoxeter 16 days ago and a tongue tie is applied now switched back over the smaller obstacles. Interesting.

Form: F1366-2

Easkey Lad²⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 96| C

11/4

Back-to-back last-gasp 2m handicap wins here last June and didn't do a lot wrong when finishing runner-up on his next couple of starts. Has since left Dai Burchell and, upped markedly in trip, he's another to note on this return to action after 8 months off the track.

Form: P/61122-

Cry Wolf^v1³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 87

11/4

Four-time Flat winner who belied odds of 50/1 when striking for the first time over hurdles at Worcester (23f) in 2021. Failed to come on from his reappearance last month and first-time visor now applied.

Form: 132340-

Judge Earle⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 87

14/1

Well beaten on his last 4 visits to this track (including over fences) so it's easy to look elsewhere for all his mark is in freefall. 1 of 2 for Peter Bowen.

Form: 2P/6PPP-

Non-Runners

Lelantos¹⁴⁸

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Dalkingstown (15/8), Lelantos (15/8), Cry Wolf (11/4), Easkey Lad (11/4), Espinator (6/1), Judge Earle (14/1)

Cases can be made for most but stable-switcher EASKEY LAD gets the verdict to notch course victory number 3 having landed back-to-back 2m handicap wins last June. This step up in trip should be right up his street and, provided he's ready to roll, he looks to have solid credentials. Lelantos and Espinator arrive on the back of career-best efforts and they look the main dangers in that order.