At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 26.90s

Happy Company^p⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 95

11/2

Revived when belying odds of 40/1 in 2m Lingfield handicap in December but rather lost his way after. However, latest second in novice selling hurdle at Exeter was a step back in right direction and now back down to his last winning mark, he's one to keep an eye on.

Form: 415722-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Penna Rossa^p³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: C Poulton| OR: 101

16/1

Off the mark in Sandown juvenile in December but has offered little subsequently, tailed-off ninth at this track (17.7f, good to firm) juts over 5 weeks ago. Needs this step up in trip to spark a revival.

Form: 41P309-

Balgowan^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 90

8/1

Has offered little in this sphere since his debut runner-up effort at Ludlow in November. Arrives fit from Flat having gone close at Wolverhampton earlier this month so not dismissed with his yard in good form.

Form: 2248-

Happy Index¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 78

13/8

Well-bred mare who has made a positive start in handicaps and got off the mark without the cheekpieces at Ludlow (21.2f, good) a fortnight ago. Was far from all out in doing so, so she could well have more to offer.

Form: 66F74-1

One Man Party¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 74| BF

11/8

Looked to be in the process of showing improved form (yet to be asked for effort) when falling 3 out on handicap debut last month. However, he left the impression he was still learning when fifth at Market Rasen since and now goes significantly up in trip.

Form: 0P7F-5

Non-Runners

Coconut Twist⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: B Barr J: Harry Reed

Prince Cleni²²

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: Christian Williams J: Jack Tudor

Forecasts

One Man Party (11/8), Happy Index (13/8), Prince Cleni (11/4), Coconut Twist (4/1), Happy Company (11/2), Balgowan (8/1), Penna Rossa (16/1)

HAPPY INDEX wasn't fully extended to open her account at Ludlow a fortnight ago and, with Paul Webber's mare potentially still having a fair bit more improvement in her, she gets the nod to follow up. Happy Company is back down to his last winning mark, so he heads up the possible dangers, with the in-form Coconut Twist rounding off the shortlist.