Five Star Taxis Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 20.37s

Rae Des Champs¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 107

5/4

Having won on handicap debut at Musselburgh (15.6f) in 2021/22, back on track when runner-up at this course in April (18.1f) and unsuited by way race developed when fourth at Newcastle (23.7f) 12 days ago. Can return to winning ways with more to offer over this distance.

Form: 12/452-4

Lissen To The Lady^p⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss J Walton⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 101| C

15/2

Three-time course winner (all at 22.7f) and proved at least as good as ever when successful at Hexham (23.3f) in March. Followed up back there 2 weeks later and not seen to best effect when mid-field here on her latest outing. Could bounce back upped in trip.

Form: 330116-

The Blame Game⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 93

5/1

All 3 career victories gained at Sedgefield, capitalising on a falling mark when landing handicap there (3m3f) in February. Remains with handicapping scope on old form, so he's not taken lightly upped further in distance.

Form: 9/8PP51-

Maura Jeanne⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 90

11/2

Returned to form when third of 6 at Musselburgh (19.8f) in March and backed up that effort when fifth at Ayr (24.3f) 9 days later, despite having been left poorly placed (also returned lame). However, will need to find more if she's to open her account.

Form: 84U635-

Sputnik¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 89

9/2

Off the mark over fences in handicap at Hexham (20.1f) last spring and had bit in hand when also scoring at Ayr in October. Placed for the third time in 4 starts when runner-up at Perth (23.8f) 11 days ago, so he can give another good account back over hurdles.

Form: 1P363-2

Sir Apollo^b,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: S Mulqueen| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 89

40/1

Both wins in handicap chases at Sedgefield, the latest in first-time blinkers in February (26.9f). However, has been let down by his jumping of late, unseating at the first on stable debut (formerly with Sam England) last time. Now makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 1P2F6-U

Placedela Concorde^p1,t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 76| C

14/1

Course winner but it's been twenty-seven runs since his last success back in 2018. From well out of the handicap, down the field in handicap at Perth (20.2f) 10 days ago. Remains best watched as he goes up in distance with cheekpieces on first-time.

Form: 378/6-38

Forecasts

Rae Des Champs (5/4), Sputnik (9/2), The Blame Game (5/1), Maura Jeanne (11/2), Lissen To The Lady (15/2), Placedela Concorde (14/1), Sir Apollo (40/1)

Having a first try at around 3m, RAE DES CHAMPS wasn't seen to best effect when fourth at Newcastle last time, closing all the way to the line having been unsuited by the way the race developed. She's well worth another chance at this sort of trip, so is taken to get the better of The Blame Game who remains well-treated on old form. Sputnik can also go well back over hurdles.