Huyton Asphalt Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 4m 1.71s

Hurricane Ali²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J Mackie| OR: 119| D

15/8

Returned to winning ways in handicap at Haydock (18.9f) in March, form boosted by the second and third scoring since. Better than ever when also successful at Bangor (16.7f) last month. Leading contender.

Form: 3661-41

El Borracho^t¹²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 107| D

9/4

Consistent over hurdles/fences last year, bagging three handicap chases along the way. Stepped up on return when also winning handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter 12 days ago. Can go well under a penalty.

Form: 3113-61

Koi Dodville^p1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 116| CD

11/2

Resumed winning ways in Cheltenham handicap in April and shaped as if still in form at Hexham on next outing. Upped in trip, ran below par at Market Rasen (20.6f) last time. Quickly back down in distance.

Form: 6021-65

Krypton Gold⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 114| D

4/1

Improved form when causing a 28/1 surprise to get off the mark in juvenile handicap hurdle at Ascot in March. Presumably benefited from the return to less testing ground so conditions should suit again. One to consider.

Form: 244621-

Scots Poet^h,t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 104| D

9/1

Stratford bumper winner who was runner-up in a Kelso novice on his third start over hurdles in December and progressed again after 4 months off when winning novice at Sedgefield last month. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 81872-1

Non-Runners

Grey Spirit²³

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hurricane Ali (15/8), El Borracho (9/4), Krypton Gold (4/1), Koi Dodville (11/2), Scots Poet (9/1), Grey Spirit (10/1)

HURRICANE ALI has developed into a consistent perfomer over hurdles, winning 5 of his last 11 starts, and can enhance his excellent strike rate with another success. The 6-y-o proved better than ever when scoring at Bangor last month and can see off the challenge of fellow last-time-out winners El Borracho and Krypton Gold.