Adam Bednall 50th Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 5m 54.6s

West To The Bridge^t¹⁷⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

10/3

Better than ever when winning Sandown handicap (19.8f) in March for the second year running. Might have found the run coming too soon in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham 10 days later, before helping force the pace when sixth at Aintree in April. Respected back down in grade.

Form: 532196-

Hurricane Harvey^t¹⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| CD

13/2

Recorded back-to-back wins at this C&D and Ludlow at the turn of the year and soon left behind a lesser effort when runner-up at Cheltenham (3m) in April. Has won both of his starts at this venue (over fences on first occasion), so he's a leading contender on his return.

Form: 115392-

Gentleman At Arms^t¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 126

7/2

Useful novice hurdler in 2021/22 and, after a couple of below-par efforts last season, returned to form when fourth in handicap at Warwick (25f) in April. Made a bad mistake when down the field at Haydock next time, but he could still have more to offer as a stayer.

Form: 34984-0

The Bomber Liston^p1⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 117| C

11/4

Hasn't taken to chasing in 3 starts this season but had shown fairly useful form in handicap hurdles in 2022/23, including when runner-up at Kempton (21f) from a 6 lb higher mark in March. Interesting contender back hurdling with cheekpieces on first-time.

Form: P26-U55

Broomfields Cave^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112| BF

10/3

Point winner who justified support when opening his account under Rules in handicap hurdle at Southwell (24.3f) in June. Made mistakes on his next 2 outings, but continued in good heart when runner-up back at Southwell a month ago. This is tougher.

Form: 53-1F52

Forecasts

The Bomber Liston (11/4), Broomfields Cave (10/3), West To The Bridge (10/3), Gentleman At Arms (7/2), Hurricane Harvey (13/2)

HURRICANE HARVEY wasted no time getting back to form when runner-up at Cheltenham in April and he can pick up where he left off to land a third success at this venue. The main danger could be West To The Bridge, who finished second in this race back in 2020, ahead of The Bomber Liston.