Basey Family Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 5m 44.79s

Rouge De L'quest¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 107

10/1

Winning pointer who has offered definite promise on 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles, latterly when third in a Ffos Las maiden (20f) 18 days ago. Feasible to think he can do better now handicapping back up in trip.

Form: 31-743

Horacio Apple's³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 106

2/1

Fair form in bumpers and similar form over hurdles, off the mark at third attempt when landing a 21.4f Ayr handicap 32 days ago. Manner in which he saw the race out suggests this longer trip will hold no fears and he's worth considering.

Form: 445-331

Imperial B G³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 105

5/1

Fair bumper winner who has offered definite promise over hurdles, looking like finishing closer before tiring in the ground when sixth at Chepstow (19.5f) 33 days ago. Eased 3 lb subsequently and likely he can do better still. Up in trip.

Form: 531-436

Basford^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 102

11/4

Much improved switched to handicaps in this sphere, again finding only one too good at Sedgefield (21f) 12 days ago. Longer trip could unlock further progress and he's one to consider with cheekpieces again enlisted.

Form: 0-40722

These Happy Daze^p,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 101

20/1

Showed fair form over hurdles in France and he may well have finished placed but for falling at the last in a Sedgefield maiden (19.8f) 4 weeks ago. Still, balance of his form is patchy and others make more appeal returned to handicaps.

Form: P-F208F

Ramo²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 97

7/2

Fair form when 2½ lengths second of 9 in 4-y-o event at Strasbourg on debut 15 months ago, staying on well. Yet to match that level in 3 starts for new yard but latest third at Hereford (19.7f) wasn't devoid of encouragement and this greater test may well play to his strengths.

Form: 2-433

Forecasts

Horacio Apple's (2/1), Basford (11/4), Ramo (7/2), Imperial B G (5/1), Rouge De L'quest (10/1), These Happy Daze (20/1)

HORACIO APPLE'S showed improved form in line with the longer trip when making a successful handicap debut at Ayr (21.4f) recently and, with this greater test expected to hold no fears, he earns the vote to defy a rise in the weights and come out on top again. Basford, twice a runner up at Sedgefield of late, is feared, along with Imperial B G.