Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 5m 0.1s

Back On The Lash¹⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: M Keighley| OR: 133

10/1

Relished the step up in trip when making a winning start to cross-country career at Cheltenham in November. Disappointed since and this is likely a pipe-opener back from almost 5 months off.

Form: 1515P-9

Lord Accord^p,t¹⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133

15/2

Fairly useful hurdler who better that form when scoring twice over fences. Not disgraced at Uttoxeter when last seen and fixed-brush obstacles will help returning to this discipline after 146 days off.

Form: 1213P-5

Sure Touch³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

13/8

Enjoying a good summer, landing the odds in taking style to bring up the hat-trick in a 3-runner novice at Fontwell a month ago. More to come and a mark of 120 may underestimate him.

Form: 432-111

Finisk River^p,t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117| D

15/8

Hasn't been out of the first two in four starts since cheekpieces were fitted and showed a good attitude to score again at Sedgefield a month ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 47-2121

Fontana Ellissi^h¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 115

6/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark to win at Ffos Las in February and was unlucky not to go close at Taunton next time. Bit disappointing on final two outings but worthy of respect back from 6 months off.

Form: 551244-

Non-Runners

Nayati¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sure Touch (13/8), Finisk River (15/8), Fontana Ellissi (6/1), Lord Accord (15/2), Nayati (8/1), Back On The Lash (10/1)

SURE TOUCH is improving and a mark of 120 looks lenient based on his impressive success at Fontwell last time, so he's the obvious choice ahead of the likeable Finisk River. Fontana Ellissi could make his presence felt if tuned up on reappearance.