Rob Gilbert 70th Birthday Bash Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 4m 25.32s

Star Legend^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 99

3/1

Fair on the Flat for William Haggas and stepped up on low-key handicap debut in this sphere when third of 9 at Southwell (15.8f, good to firm) recently. Conditions here won't be an issue (placed on soft/heavy in novice events a couple of months ago) and he's one to consider.

Form: 3373

Reams Of Love¹⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 92

12/1

Cheekpieces on for first time when last of 12 to Vin Rouge over this C&D in June (sixth past post but disqualified for weighing in light). Remains with one standout effort to his name over hurdles and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 136F-9D

Good Impression²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 92| CD

5/2

Back on the scoresheet over C&D in June and made it 2-3 at this course/4-9 under Ben Jones when going in again at the beginning of this month. 4 lb rise fair enough and bold show likely provided he handles the ground (has won on soft but well held both previous starts on heavy going).

Form: 5-74131

Imperial Measure¹¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 83

13/8

Better signs since switched to handicaps and his latest fourth of 13 here (18.5f, good) at the end of May represents decent form in the context of this race. Proven on slow ground and this low-mileage 5-y-o is high on the shortlist.

Form: 5P52-34

Ascot Day^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 76

10/1

Runner-up twice in handicap hurdles during spring 2022, including over this C&D, but hasn't shown much in 3 starts since returning from a 13-month absence in July.

Form: 7522/77

Non-Runners

Sufi⁴⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: M F Harris J: Bradley Harris

Allez Allez Dancer²¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: Ella Pickard J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Imperial Measure (13/8), Good Impression (5/2), Star Legend (3/1), Ascot Day (10/1), Reams Of Love (12/1), Sufi (14/1), Allez Allez Dancer (16/1)

IMPERIAL MEASURE and Star Legend both showed enough on their latest appearances to suggest that they can take high rank in a race of this nature. The former wasn't beaten far in a more competitive race than this here on his latest start in May and gets the nod off the same mark with conditions no problem. Good Impression registered his second C&D success here last time and he has to be taken seriously, too.