BetVictor Scoonieburn Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 44.3s

Alfa Mix^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 130

40/1

Dual hurdles scorer in Ireland in 2019 but winless since and ran no sort of a race in a handicap chase on debut for new yard at Wetherby. Hard to know what to expect of him back in this sphere (last seen over hurdles back in March 2020).

Form: F-3236P

Castle Rushen^v1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 128

11/4

Things haven't worked out for him over fences this season but returned to this sphere with a creditable effort in first-time cheekpieces at Newcastle (20.3f, soft), for all that his jumping wasn't foot perfect. Now tried in a visor and shapes as though this stamina test will be right up his street.

Form: 2/U2U42

Grove Road³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Watson| OR: 125| BF

15/2

Sedgefield bumper winner on Rules debut/sole start last season and made it 2-2 over hurdles when landing a Hereford novice upped to 25.5f in December. However, turned over when odds on for a match at Hexham last month and more needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 31-112

Salvino^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 118

5/1

Winning pointer who got off the mark over hurdles in a 23f Kelso novice in November. Hasn't done a great deal wrong since, most recently finishing fifth of 12 in a Class 2 handicap back at Kelso (21f, soft), and moving back up in trip here will be no bad thing.

Form: 212275

Burbank^b³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 117

33/1

Classy chaser on his day but appears to be very much in decline judged on what he's shown in 3 appearances this season. Looks set for another struggle on what will be his first run in this sphere for over 2 years.

Form: 15P-PPP

Miss Milano⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 114

7/2

Endured a winless campaign during her first season in training last term but has won each of her 3 starts this time round, the latest at Doncaster (24.4f, good to soft) where she was returning from a 4-month break. More needed up 6 lb here but merits respect all the same.

Form: 32-6111

Shoeshine Boy¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: D W Whillans| OR: 103

5/2

Ended last season on a winning note and again came good in the month of April when getting his head back in front at Carlisle (25f, good) 19 days ago. Clearly no issues stamina-wise but this looks more demanding.

Form: 32U501

Forecasts

Shoeshine Boy (5/2), Castle Rushen (11/4), Miss Milano (7/2), Salvino (5/1), Grove Road (15/2), Burbank (33/1), Alfa Mix (40/1)

While he could do with brushing up on his jumping technique, CASTLE RUSHEN is nevertheless appealing having put in a good shift back in this sphere at Newcastle last time. He goes off the same mark here and both this step up in trip and the addition of more severe headgear (sports a first-time visor) are potentially positive factors. Stablemate Miss Milano is 3-3 this season and needs considering but Salvino, who looks pretty solid overall, is feared most.