attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 56.78s

Zabeel Champion^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

5/2

Smart handicapper at best on Flat and, after 6 months off, recorded a third success from 7 starts over hurdles when landing handicap at Perth 25 days ago, despite being found to have bled. Not dismissed lightly.

Form: 241/85-1

Nibras Gold^p1,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| BF

10/1

Fair stayer on the Flat who doubled his tally in this sphere back from 9 months off (had wind op) in handicap at Ffos Las in May. Not discredited when third at Worcester next time, but will need to get back on the up with cheekpieces now applied.

Form: 2125-13

Sisterandbrother^h,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 107

2/1

Has taken well to hurdling, opening his account at the second attempt at Huntingdon in May. Resumed his progress when runner-up in handicap at Market Rasen 22 days ago and he can build on that effort to return to winning ways.

Form: 3-132

Supposedtobe^t¹⁰

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

17/2

Fair hurdler who landed a Uttoxeter seller in June on final outing for Noel C. Kelly. Pulled up on first start for current yard, but back on the level (in first-time tongue strap) he won at Pontefract 10 days ago. Task is to back up his latest effort returned to hurdles.

Form: 0/6-061P

Clearance¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: M Blake| OR: 104| CD

5/1

Having dropped below his last winning mark, took advantage when scoring in good style at this C&D in June. Followed that effort with a creditable second back here a fortnight ago and he can give another good account.

Form: 2P-4512

Ridgeway^p,t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 103| DWS

11/1

Promising start over fences when impressively landing a Kempton handicap in October. Hinted at a revival when third at Ayr in April but hasn't built on that effort in two starts since, looking none too keen last time. Has had a wind op ahead of return to hurdling.

Form: 1P43-2P

Up For Appeal⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 100| BF

20/1

Fair form in bumpers when trained by Sean Thomas Doyle in Ireland and matched that level on his hurdles debut when second of 4 in a Newbury maiden in February. Below expectations when fourth of 9 at Plumpton in May, but he could get back on track now handicapping.

Form: 76242-4

Forecasts

Sisterandbrother (2/1), Zabeel Champion (5/2), Clearance (5/1), Supposedtobe (17/2), Nibras Gold (10/1), Ridgeway (11/1), Up For Appeal (20/1)

SISTERANDBROTHER resumed his progress over hurdles when second at Market Rasen last time, losing out by only a neck, so he is taken to go one better with more still to offer in this sphere. Clearance has run well at this C&D on his last 2 starts and is respected, while Zabeel Champion also merits consideration.