Victor Lucas Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 5m 15.50s

Diligent^h⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 12-7| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 125| D

11/2

Successful six times in 2021, five over fences and a novice hurdle here in September. Struck again in this sphere at Taunton on return last month and career best when winning 5-runner handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot, so there's certainly cause for optimism.

Form: 31212-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Ask Paddington^h¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 117| D

5/2

Fallen in weights for current yard and came close to taking advantage when a narrow second at Hexham 12 days ago. Back up another 4 lb but remains one to be interesting in if finding his form again.

Form: P7670-2

Marajman^p,t¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 107

4/1

Slipped significantly in the weights since leaving Willie Mullins and capitalised to score at Southwell (22/1) 10 days ago. Form reads well and he's not ruled out if that effort signifies a resurgence.

Form: 4P234-1

Salley Gardens^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 113| D

3/1

Won 3 times in the autumn and continued his good spell when retuning from a 4-month break to finish a close second at Wincanton 50 days ago. Remains on workable mark and should go well again.

Form: 0/12112-

Koi Dodville^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 117| BF

9/2

Resumed winning ways in Cheltenham handicap in April and shaped as if still in decent form at Hexham last time, though probably has to find some improvement for the step up in trip here.

Form: 46021-6

Forecasts

Ask Paddington (5/2), Salley Gardens (3/1), Marajman (4/1), Koi Dodville (9/2), Diligent (11/2)

A fine race of it's type, with SALLEY GARDENS just about fancied to gain his fourth win in his last 6 starts. Cases can be made for each of his rivals, with perhaps those for the thriving Diligent and well-treated Ask Paddington most convincing.