Play With The Finest Bookmaker, Fitzdares..... Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 4m 40.4s

In The Air⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120

11/4

Dual juvenile hurdles winner who ran easily his best race of last term when second in 5-runner Taunton handicap (16.5f) in March, keeping on. Did enough to suggest this mark is within reach and he's of interest.

Form: 116/F62-

American Gerry²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 113| D

13/2

Successful twice during first half of 2022 and having been lightly raced since, he ran right up to best when fourth in a C&D handicap 4 weeks ago. Now operating on last winning mark if he can back that up.

Form: 51/6464-

Watergrange Jack⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 111| D

4/1

Irish bumper winner who opened his hurdles account at Ffos Las last June. Decent efforts at Wetherby and Ffos Las on his last two outings and he's respected.

Form: 214035-

Times Are Blue¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 102

17/2

Overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in a Plumpton bumper 12 months ago and solid start over hurdles when runner-up in a Hereford novice in October (shaped like a stayer). Well held in 2 quick runs the following month, so betting may prove a useful guide now handicapping on return.

Form: 1234-

Small Bad Bob⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 102| CD

13/8

3-time hurdles winner earlier in career (including over C&D) and arrives here having got off the mark at third attempt over fences at Plumpton (19.7f) 4 days ago. Has plenty of handicapping scope based on his old form over hurdles and he's one to consider turned out quickly.

Form: 3552-31

Forecasts

Small Bad Bob (13/8), In The Air (11/4), Watergrange Jack (4/1), American Gerry (13/2), Times Are Blue (17/2)

It could be worth siding with former C&D winner SMALL BAD BOB who arrives on the back of success over fences at Plumpton 4 days ago and has plenty of handicapping scope judged on his old form over hurdles. In The Air, who ran well himself when second at Taunton in March rates the chief threat.