quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 15.70s

Adrimel^b,t¹²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 134| D

4/1

Dual winner over the larger obstacles at Haydock last term and was entitled to need reappearance run in a Wetherby handicap chase in November. 3-5 over hurdles (including a Grade 2 novice a couple of seasons back) and merits respect on handicap debut in this sphere with conditions to suit.

Form: P119P-4

Miah Grace^v1²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 132| C

8/1

Winner of a 4-runner handicap chase here (16.3f, good to soft) on second start following a lengthy layoff in December. Form has dipped badly the last twice, though, and will need to bring her A-game in a first-time visor back hurdling if she's to emerge on top.

Form: 36/2145

Castle Rushen^p1²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 128| D

11/4

Reached a fairly useful level as a novice hurdler (placed in listed/Grade 2 company) in 2020/21 and no great surprise that he returns to this sphere following an unsuccessful stint over fences. Cheekpieces added and merits respect for in-form yard off an appealing mark.

Form: 32/U2U4

It's Good To Laugh¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 126

13/2

Useful dual-purpose performer who won 3 of his 5 starts as a novice hurdler last season, despite some seriously sloppy jumping. Largely below par on the Flat since and there will need to be a steep change in the way he tackles his obstacles in order to make a winning handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 11215-

Donny Boy²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams| T: N W Alexander| OR: 126| C

9/4

Point/bumper winner who made the perfect start over hurdles in a 2m maiden here in December 2021. Back on track returned to this sphere following a wind op when chasing home a highly progressive type at Kelso (21f, good to soft) and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 16B-5P2

Aramax^p,t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: B Haslam| OR: 124

12/1

Winner of the Fred Winter for Gordon Elliott off a 14 lb higher mark at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. However, he offered little in this sphere and over fences last term and hasn't fared much better in 4 runs for new yard this season.

Form: 6P8777

Non-Runners

Cerendipity¹⁸

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Donny Boy (9/4), Castle Rushen (11/4), Adrimel (4/1), It's Good To Laugh (13/2), Miah Grace (8/1), Cerendipity (8/1), Aramax (12/1)

An intriguing race in which the vote goes to CASTLE RUSHEN, who hasn't shown much over fences this season but he's on a good mark back hurdling with conditions to suit/yard in fine form, and the addition of cheekpieces may also aid his cause. Adrimel will also be in his element if the ground remains testing but Donny Boy, who took a step back in the right direction at Kelso, is feared most. Cerendipity isn't without hope but It's Good To Laugh's haphazard jumping makes him a risky proposition.