Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap Hurdle

3YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 3f 49y | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 123| BF| C

Likeable type who followed 4 wins over hurdles last season with a hat-trick on the Flat this summer. Ran really well again back over timber after a break when runner-up over C&D earlier this month (conceded first run) and seems sure to be in the mix again.

Form: 21354-2

Issam^t²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: D A Jacob| T: T Symonds| OR: 121| D

Successful twice over hurdles in France and overcame late mistakes to get off the mark for current connections when last seen at Exeter (18.5f, soft) 7 months ago. Plenty to like provided he's fully tuned up on return (has gone well fresh previously).

Form: 17P221-

Young Merlin²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 118

Three-time winner on the Flat and has quickly established himself as a good prospect over hurdles, winning first 3 starts in this sphere. Lost unbeaten record with a bit of a whimper when pulled up at Worcester (20f, soft) recently so needs to bounce back quickly.

Form: 111P

Pearly Island²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 118| CD

Recaptured the pick of his novice form when readily opening his account in a 16-runner handicap at Huntingdon in January. Added to that over this C&D in March and shaped as if still in good form when fifth at Newbury later that month. Betting check advised on seasonal return.

Form: 741315-

Monjules^t¹⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: H Fry| OR: 116| C

Progressive since joining this yard, winning 3 handicap hurdles last season. Runner-up on Flat in May but found run of good form coming to a halt back over hurdles 13 days later at Newton Abbot (18.5f, good to soft). Percentage call is to look elsewhere on return.

Form: 19112-3

Kansas Du Berlais^t¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 116| BF| CD

Promising fourth on hurdling debut for David Cottin. Beaten at short odds on his first 3 outings for this yard but it all clicked in the spring, winning maiden/novice events at this track. Not so good on handicap debut at Sandown (2m) but worth another chance on reappearance.

Form: 424117-

Whydah Gally¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 114| C

Front-runner who bagged a Wincanton handicap and course novice over hurdles in 2021/22. However, he underachieved as a chaser last term and makes return back over timber with the headgear worn last time discarded.

Form: 1/2P4P3-

I Love You Sivola²²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 103| D

Fair chaser at best for Y. Fouin who won claimer at Cagnes-sur-Mer in 2022/23. Had just a couple of starts for D. Satalia earlier this year and this a tough ask making British debut back over hurdles. Betting can guide.

Form: 712668-

Forecasts

Kansas Du Berlais (2/1), Mr Freedom (7/2), Young Merlin (5/1), Issam (6/1), Monjules (8/1), Pearly Island (10/1), Whydah Gally (16/1), I Love You Sivola (25/1)

Plenty in with a squeak but the vote goes to KANSAS DU BERLAIS, who disappointed when sent off favourite in a competitive handicap at Sandown back in April but can get back on track having won twice at this venue prior. Issam got off the mark for current connections when last seen at Exeter in the spring and having won on his 2022 return, he may emerge as the main danger. The in-form Mr Freedom is likely to run well again and can fill out third.