Save Our Sport Sign The Petition Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 11.55s

Richmond Lake²¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 137| C

7/4

Didn't look back following low-key start over fences last season, winning 3 of his 4 subsequent starts in that sphere, including a handicap at Ayr (20.5f, good) when last seen in April. 3 lb lower back hurdling and a bold show likely with trip/ground no problem.

Form: 0/61211-

It's Good To Laugh^t,v⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 123| D

3/1

Made up into a pretty useful novice a couple of seasons back, despite some seriously errant jumping. Issues in that department came home to roost when pulled up on sole hurdles start last term and while much of his form on the Flat since has been solid, he clearly comes with risks attached.

Form: 11215/P-

Punta Del Este²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

11/4

Winner in France and promising start for this yard when third in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock (15.6f, good to soft) in February. Shaped up quite well in Fred Winter next time and probably best to excuse his latest effort at Ascot, so he remains of interest.

Form: 91307-

Start In Front^t²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 109| CD

4/1

All-the-way winner of a C&D juvenile hurdle on British debut last December but it wouldn't be harsh to say that he subsequently failed to build on that, for all that he was a creditable second in a Sedgefield handicap in February. Improvement needed.

Form: 172239-

Forecasts

Richmond Lake (7/4), Punta Del Este (11/4), It's Good To Laugh (3/1), Start In Front (4/1)

Though PUNTA DEL ESTE was ultimately well held in the Fred Winter and in an Ascot handicap on his final two starts of last season, he remains one to be positive about in view of his encouraging British debut third in the Victor Ludorum. He gets the nod ahead of Richmond Lake, who did well over fences last term and will be a big threat if fully tuned-up back hurdling following a seven-month break. It's Good To Laugh is not short of ability but his haphazard jumping remains a serious concern.