Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 54.22s

Whizz Kid^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 122

5/2

Dual hurdles winner who arrives in decent nick, eighth of 12 in handicap at Ascot (19.3f, good to soft) 14 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up down in grade/eased 1 lb.

Form: 236P28

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Glory And Honour^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: K Brogan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 116

12/1

Gained sole hurdles success in a Huntingdon maiden for Tom Lacey in November 2020 but he's won twice on the Flat since joining this yard and also performed respectably back in this sphere. Shortlisted.

Form: 5F64-39

Minella Plus²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

11/1

Took well to chasing, landing handicaps at Hexham and Ludlow (both at around 2m) in the autumn, but below form in recent outings though, including back over hurdles at Kempton and Warwick. Others are preferred.

Form: 115348

Lihyan²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| D

6/1

Comfortable winner of Cork maiden hurdle (17f) last summer and better for return/yard debut when third in 4-runner novice at Musselburgh (2m) last month. Remains with potential now going into handicaps.

Form: U6-4173

Sergeant Wilson^h³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 112

11/4

Got back on track in first-time hood when landing 2m novice hurdle at Fakenham 30 days ago. Needs to back it up now returned to handicap company.

Form: 1-F3201

Very Excellent⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 110| D

125/1

Fair 10f winner on the AW in March for Andrew McNamara but well held over both codes since, including on yard debut in 2m3f Catterick handicap hurdle after Christmas. Lots more is required.

Form: 15/586P

Mr Freedom²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Miss S West| OR: 120

5/2

Is enjoying an excellent season and gained his fifth success in 2m handicap hurdle at Warwick 21 days ago, responding well after suffering a poor run. Big player despite going up another 3 lb.

Form: 11R521

Forecasts

Whizz Kid (5/2), Mr Freedom (5/2), Sergeant Wilson (11/4), Lihyan (6/1), Minella Plus (11/1), Glory And Honour (12/1), Very Excellent (125/1)

A few with chances but MR FREEDOM did well to overcome a troubled passage when registering his fifth victory of the season at Warwick last time so looks the way to go despite taking a 3 lb rise in the weights. Lihyan still has few miles on the clock and could emerge as the chief threat ahead of in-form pair Whizz Kid and Glory And Honour.