Lord Mansfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 4m 54.1s

Big Bad Bear¹⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 120| CD

10/3

Capitalised on a much-reduced mark when bagging 2m4f handicaps at Newcastle and here late last season. Creditable effort in hat-trick bid at Aintree in May but there were signs of errors creeping back in when third at Hexham a month later.

Form: 4811-43

Curious Times^t⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 117

17/2

Just the one success to date but produced one of his better efforts in first-time cheekpieces when third at this track (16.2f, good) back in June, having run of race (would have benefited from setting a stronger pace). Back up in trip today and may go close.

Form: 657-8P3

Battle Of Toro^v²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 113

13/2

Useful on Flat in France earlier in career and made it third time lucky over hurdles when landing Cartmel novice in June. Matched that level when runner-up back there 25 days ago (visored) and he's interesting with usual pilot back on board today.

Form: 812632

Excelcior^b¹¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 107

11/1

Yet to taste success over hurdles and in process of running below form when unseated rider last in claiming hurdle (25/1) at Limerick (19f) in May. Others more persuasive back from a break.

Form: 3480-7U

Idilico²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 103| CD

11/8

Bagged Musselburgh handicap back in February and from a mark just 1 lb higher, resumed winning ways with a bit in hand over C&D 5 weeks ago. Not so good back on the level since but bold bid anticipated despite a rise in the weights.

Form: F53-351

Malangen¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 103| CD

11/2

C&D winner in a good time back in July but yet to fully back up the form of that success, easily brushed aside when headed home turn at Hexham just over a fortnight ago. Back up in trip today and fancied to get back on track provided he keeps his quirks in check.

Form: 5154U3

Forecasts

Idilico (11/8), Big Bad Bear (10/3), Malangen (11/2), Battle Of Toro (13/2), Curious Times (17/2), Excelcior (11/1)

A tricky contest to unravel despite the small field but preference is for IDILICO. Dianne Sayer's charge had a bit up his sleeve when scoring over C&D last month, and provided he can shrug off a lesser effort on the Flat since, he's fancied to take his record to 2-2 at this venue. Malangen and Curious Times both step back up in trip today and they could well emerge as the main dangers to the selection.