Jump Season Starts Now Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:10 | Winning time: 6m 28.39s

Sure Touch²³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Daire Davis⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 119

2/1

Steadily progressive sort who has enjoyed a fine second half to 2022, making it 4 wins from last 5 starts when rallying to regain the lead at Chepstow (19.5f) 23 days ago. Rider's full 10 lb claim now more than off-sets the rise and sound claims if he stays.

Form: 2-11141

Dedanser²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| BF

10/1

Matched previous best when ending last term with success in Bangor maiden (23f). Seemed to lose confidence after an early mistake on return/chase debut at Ayr (20.5f) 3 weeks ago and bounce back certainly not ruled out returned to timber.

Form: 34241-P

Native Fighter^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 110| D

33/1

Twice a winner at Cartmel last summer but mixed bag in recent months, seemingly having no excuses when a disappointing fifth of 6 at Musselburgh (23.8f) 16 days ago.

Form: 607355

Spike Jones^h,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Burton| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 108| CD

1/1

Bumper winner who made breakthrough over hurdles over C&D in March, produced to lead dying strides. Easy to back, matched that level when third on return at Worcester (23f, heavy) 22 days ago and he could well have more to offer at this trip.

Form: 53331-3

Scottish Accent^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Aaron Anderson| T: R Menzies| OR: 103

12/1

Dual chase winner who matched previous best over hurdles when staying on for fourth at Kelso (25.7f) 4 weeks ago. Cheekpieces go back on now but he'll need to pull out a bit more to resume winning ways here.

Form: 63-5P34

Balkotic^t,v⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 95

12/1

Flat winner who stepped up again when doubling his hurdles tally at Hexham (23.3f) back in September, clear when shaken up run-in and always holding on. This demands a little more from 5 lb higher.

Form: 5-14341

Forecasts

Spike Jones (1/1), Sure Touch (2/1), Dedanser (10/1), Balkotic (12/1), Scottish Accent (12/1), Native Fighter (33/1)

A competitive opener with the narrow vote in favour of SPIKE JONES. A winner over C&D back in the spring, he matched that level when third over shorter on return at Worcester in October and, still unexposed as a stayer, he could well have more to offer at this sort of trip. Sure Touch has enjoyed a fine spell, making it 4 wins from his last 5 starts recently and he's a big threat. Dedanser completes the shortlist.