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Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 0.6s

West Cork^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

11/2

Hasn't taken to fences this term but he's a pretty smart hurdler and returns to the smaller obstacles off a mark 3 lb lower than when second in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last April.

Form: 2-F23PP

Barrichello²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 129| D

10/3

Four hurdle wins last season and ran well in defeat over fences first 3 outings this term. Only midfield back hurdling at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago but eased 3 lb and this is less competitive.

Form: 17-3328

Thereisnodoubt^h,t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| CD

7/2

Well supported and back to his best when gaining his first success for current connections over C&D a month ago. An 8 lb higher mark is unlikely to prevent another prominent showing if turning up in similar form.

Form: 66-5431

Ginger Mail⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115| D

7/1

Improved again to double his tally in a 7-runner handicap hurdle at Ayr on reappearance in October but has been a little disappointing in a pair of Class 3s since. Still early in his career but needs to resume his progression.

Form: 5U1-135

Dancewiththewind⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 113| CD

13/8

C&D winner in 2020 and showed he retains all his ability on third outing back from a long absence when winning 13-runner Wetherby handicap on Boxing Day. That is solid form and he still looks well treated after a 3 lb rise.

Form: 211/031

Forecasts

Dancewiththewind (13/8), Barrichello (10/3), Thereisnodoubt (7/2), West Cork (11/2), Ginger Mail (7/1)

The Wetherby race which DANCEWITHTHEWIND won on Boxing Day has been working out well so he might be up to defying a 3 lb rise. If a return to hurdling has a reviving effect on West Cork then he could be the one to give the selection most to do.