Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 12.90s

Fiddlerontheroof^t²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 150

7/2

Grade 1 winner in this sphere as a novice and has subsequently made up into a smart chaser, last seen finishing fifth in the Grand National in April. No reason to believe he won't be effective back hurdling but this is a big ask given that he's conceding upwards of 12 lb to his rivals.

Form: 23/1225-

Call Me Lord¹⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| D

11/2

Winless since landing the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December 2019 but he's now 6 lb lower than when finishing third of 19 in the C&D Lanzarote in January. One of two live contenders for the Nicky Henderson yard.

Form: 4P36P3-

Dorking Boy^t¹⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 132| CD

8/1

Notched third success of a productive campaign last season when impressively landing a C&D handicap in April. By no means disgraced when fifth off this revised mark at Aintree the following month and he's not discounted.

Form: 12251-5

Bold Plan²⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 131| D

10/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who looked better than ever when completing the hat-trick at Cheltenham (20.2f, good) in April. Remains feasibly treated up 6 lb but, on the downside, his record when fresh doesn't augur well.

Form: 869111-

Captain Morgs¹⁵⁹

3/1

Landed an Ascot handicap last November and was unlucky to not win again when second at Aintree during the spring. Decent start over fences when third at Cartmel in June (since undergone a wind op) and major player back in this sphere.

Form: 1285-23

Jay Bee Why¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 130| BF| D

7/2

Dual winner as a novice and, having failed to build on his encouraging chase debut last season, he performed with credit in handicap hurdles over this C&D and at Market Rasen during the spring. Will be a danger to all if fully tuned-up following a 6-month break.

Form: 23343-3

Tip Top Cat²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 123

9/1

Completed hat-trick last winter and while he found things tougher on his final 2 starts of the 2020/21 campaign, this 7-y-o may well resume his progress this season. Engaged 12.50 Sandown Sunday.

Form: 311145-

Forecasts

Captain Morgs (3/1), Fiddlerontheroof (7/2), Jay Bee Why (7/2), Call Me Lord (11/2), Dorking Boy (8/1), Tip Top Cat (9/1), Bold Plan (10/1)

JAY BEE WHY has a good record when fresh and is appealing back from a break off a reduced mark. He was beaten 8½ lengths when third to Dorking Boy over C&D in April but meets that rival on 9 lb better terms this time. Dorking Boy should make his presence felt despite the handicapper's attention but the selection may have most to fear from the Nicky Henderson-trained duo, Call Me Lord and Captain Morgs.