Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 4m 44.62s

Gaelik Coast^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 133| C

10/1

Useful winning chaser and in good form back hurdling this season, winning at Worcester in June and creditable third at Market Rasen (20.5f) in October. Did run one of his lesser races last time, though.

Form: 651938

The Golden Rebel^p1³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 129| C

10/1

Bit of a mixed record over fences lately and needs a switch to hurdles and first-time cheekpieces to help spark a revival. The fact his stable has won this race twice since 2016 provides some hope, though.

Form: 4-8343U

Stimulating Song^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 128

18/1

Winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in November 2020 but not seen again until 2 disappointing runs over fences this autumn. Hard to know how much ability he retains now switching back to hurdles.

Form: 0341/7P

Fine Casting²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 123| BF

8/15

Dual winner last winter. Good reappearance second for his very much in-form stable at Cheltenham (21f) in November. Really impressed with the way he travelled on that occasion and this slightly shorter trip now looks ideal.

Form: 62114-2

Rathmacknee²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123

10/3

Marked improvement following a breathing operation when running out a 33-length winner of a Fakenham maiden in May. Shaped much better than the result suggests when tenth of 19 in 2m Cheltenham handicap since, sharing fourth when hampered and blundered last.

Form: 1332-10

Non-Runners

Guiri⁷⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: B Haslam J: K Brogan

Message Personnel²⁸⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 4

T: D Skelton J: Bridget Andrews

Forecasts

Fine Casting (8/15), Message Personnel (11/4), Rathmacknee (10/3), Guiri (13/2), Gaelik Coast (10/1), The Golden Rebel (10/1), Stimulating Song (18/1)

Perhaps best to concentrate on the trio towards the foot of the weights. The way FINE CASTING travelled over 21f at Cheltenham last month suggests this slightly sharper test will bring out the best in him so he's narrowly preferred to Message Personnel and Rathmacknee.