Remembering Wally Michell Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 24.50s

Jony Max^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 100| D

5/2

Admirably consistent in 2022 and back from 6-month absence when creditable second of 10 in handicap chase at Fakenham (29.1f, good) 19 days ago. 10 lb lower in this sphere and holds solid claims.

Form: 24444-2

Astroman⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: S Hosie| OR: 89

9/4

Belatedly off the mark (fortunate winner) in 8-runner novice hurdle at Stratford (22f, good, 8/1) 7 days ago. Clearly in good heart, though, and must enter calculations back handicapping.

Form: 4842-61

Monty's Award^p¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 87| CD

9/2

C&D winner in October and followed up at Huntingdon 4 weeks later. Not been in same form more recently, however, and others more appealing. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 11238-6

West Orchard^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 80

10/3

Got no further than first on chase debut 11 days ago but had posted good fourth in Plumpton handicap hurdle (20.5f) previously and would be a player if in same form again.

Form: 4RP54-F

Sir Dan Dan³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 75

12/1

Beaten a long way in 3 maiden hurdles thus far, latest for new yard at Plumpton last month. Improvement required on handicap bow.

Form: FF706-

Non-Runners

Barrowmount¹⁴

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: J W Mullins J: M G Nolan

Pour Une Raison¹⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: N R Mitchell J: Ben Godfrey

Forecasts

Astroman (9/4), Jony Max (5/2), West Orchard (10/3), Monty's Award (9/2), Barrowmount (7/1), Sir Dan Dan (12/1), Pour Une Raison (25/1)

JONY MAX matched his best form, on first outing since November, when runner-up at Fakenham earlier this month and can take advantage of his lower hurdles mark here. Astroman and Barrowmount rate the principal dangers.