Country Food Trust Claiming Hurdle

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 3.37s

Al Zaraqaan^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: A Watson| OR: 121| CD

6/4

Smart at best on Flat and positive start over hurdles, making it 4 on the spin at Musselburgh (15.5f) in December. Couple of below-par efforts followed and he needs to shrug off a poor display at Chepstow (2m) 11 days ago. Drop in grade a plus at least with blinkers refitted.

Form: 111750

Let's Have Another^b²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 112

10/1

Lightly raced 7-y-o who gained second success in small-field Market Rasen novice (20.6f) in October. However, ran a moody race sent chasing at Uttoxeter next time and pulled up sharply back over hurdles at first-named venue 24 days ago. Back down markedly in trip and not the easiest to assess.

Form: 91-517P

Us And Them^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: James Best| T: A E Jones| OR: 122| D

16/1

Smart handicap chaser at best but long time since he got his head in front and failed to complete on 5 of his 6 starts for present yard, including over hurdles. Market may tell a tale dropped markedly in grade.

Form: UFPPP4

Weebill^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Daire Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 114| BF| CD

5/2

Improved to win 9-runner handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16.6f) on his return on Boxing Day. Carried head awkwardly when disappointing at Leicester, but this is his level and he's a C&D winner (won at this meeting in 2018) so he's more convincing than most.

Form: 1123-13

Tonyx²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 100| BF

11/4

Fair 10f Flat winner who opened account over hurdles in 2m Sedgefield novice in April 2021. Very lightly raced and little to get excited about since, though should be fit from a recent spin on the level.

Form: 2341F/5-

Non-Runners

My Boy Grizzle⁷²³

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: C Ellam J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

Al Zaraqaan (6/4), Weebill (5/2), Tonyx (11/4), Let's Have Another (10/1), Us And Them (16/1), My Boy Grizzle (25/1)

This looks very trappy and while WEEBILL was very disappointing at Leicester last time, he can boast a fair record at this level and is just about the most persuasive option. Al Zaraqaan drops in grade fitted with blinkers and is a threat while the market may help assess whether Us And Them retains any ability.