Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 9.25s

Mythical Hero¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: James Davies| T: A West| OR: 119

33/1

Won on hurdles debut in Ireland last autumn but largely disappointed since and was well beaten on Flat debut for new yard recently.

Form: 5P549-F

Yccs Portocervo^p⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 115| C| D

9/1

Course winner back in 2019 but well below his best over fences this year and likely best watched on return to hurdling here.

Form: 344-3F4

Starsky¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J R Wildman⁽⁷⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 114

66/1

Dual winner over hurdles (at up to 26f) who ended time with Dan Skelton on a below-par note at Worcester in June and has failed to complete in either outing for new connections.

Form: 52-F6FP

Cawthorne Lad^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 114

11/4

Posted solid placed efforts both starts this term, latest when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Worcester (23f, soft) 32 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Should give another good account.

Form: 1633-32

Sophosc²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 112

8/11

Fairly useful winner on Flat who has won both his starts in this sphere, latest when taking 10-runner novice at Warwick (16f, good) 24 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Likely more to come on switch to handicapping.

Form: 11

Rhebus Road¹⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 112| BF

6/1

Off the mark in this sphere when taking Huntingdon handicap (15.8f) in May. Wasn't in quite same form at Warwick next time but must enter calculations on his return to action here.

Form: 426-13

Non-Runners

Kadex¹⁹⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 4

T: L Wadham J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sophosc (8/11), Cawthorne Lad (11/4), Kadex (9/2), Rhebus Road (6/1), Yccs Portocervo (9/1), Mythical Hero (33/1), Starsky (66/1)

SOPHOSC is going the right way and looks on a decent mark for his handicap hurdle bow. He can score again. Cawthorne Lad and Rhebus Road look the likeliest dangers.