Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 43.5s

Whatsupwithyou^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 122| D

11/4

Scored on good ground at Uttoxeter last spring and arrives on back of creditable fourth in handicap hurdle at Kempton (21f, heavy) 28 days ago. Likely contender.

Form: 145224-

Showbusiness^t³⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 118

16/1

Belatedly off the mark when taking 16-runner novice hurdle (11/4) at Punchestown (16.2f, good) 12 months ago. Not seen since, though, and market should prove best guide to claims on return/yard debut.

Form: 2262/31-

Invictus Smart^t¹⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113

33/1

Won sole start in France but showed nothing in 2 starts for this yard, pulled up when last seen at Taunton in December. Plenty to prove.

Form: 15/P-

Celestial Force^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 111| BF| D

14/1

Made hard work of adding another small-field success to his tally in a Taunton seller in November 2021 and back from long absence when well held on Flat 9 days ago. Others more appealing.

Form: 334312/

Watergrange Jack^p1⁴

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

11/4

Opened his hurdles account over C&D last June and wasn't disgraced when fifth of 11 in handicap here (20f) in February. However, refused to race at Fontwell latest and tried in cheekpieces now.

Form: 14035-R

Letterston Lady²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 107| BF

5/4

Dual bumper scorer who made a winning hurdling debut in straightforward style at Worcester (2m) in October. Not at same level since but step in trip looks a good move and must enter calculations.

Form: 111544-

Non-Runners

Stony Man³⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: G Hanmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Letterston Lady (5/4), Watergrange Jack (11/4), Whatsupwithyou (11/4), Stony Man (12/1), Celestial Force (14/1), Showbusiness (16/1), Invictus Smart (33/1)

WHATSUPWITHYOU has been in good form this year and looks the safest option in a tricky-looking contest. Letterston Lady and Showbusiness are feared most.