TrustATrader You Can Trust Our Traders Handicap Hurdle

3YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 2f 191y | 5 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 127| D

Likeable type who found a bit more improvement to land a Bangor handicap in March and shaped as if better for the run when fifth at Carlisle on reappearance. Should be spot on now.

Form: 24521-5

Romeo Brown³⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 127| C

Proved better than ever to spring a 50/1 surprise in 13-runner handicap hurdle at Aintree last December. Ran out at Huntingdon in January but shaped as if back in form before falling heavily 3 out at Doncaster on final start.

Form: 3614RF-

Barrichello^t1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| C

Four-time hurdle winner in 2022 who also ran well in defeat over fences first 3 outings last term. Ended the season with a rare poor run at Kelso and shaped as if needing the run at Sedgefield on reappearance in October. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 33285-6

Lebowski^t⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122| BF

3-time hurdle winner for Michael Scudamore, including on return to action at Wetherby (2m, soft) last December. Essentially disappointing thereafter and he did too much too soon on return/yard debut following a breathing op at Chepstow (2m) in October. Up in trip with a tongue strap refitted.

Form: 0/19P5-5

Issam^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: T Symonds| OR: 120| D

Successful twice over hurdles in France and off the mark for current connections at Exeter (18.5f) in March. Shaped much better than bare result when third on Sandown return (19.8f, soft) last month and holds strong claims here.

Form: 7P221-3

Non-Runners

Molly Ollys Wishes¹⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Molly Ollys Wishes (15/8), Issam (9/4), Lebowski (5/2), Foster'sisland (9/2), Barrichello (9/2), Romeo Brown (11/2)

ISSAM got his act together for his current yard towards the end of last season and, having shaped much better than the bare result (led on bridle before 2 out) on his return at Sandown last month, he's put forward as the answer for a yard which has been showing more positive signs. Molly Ollys Wishes beat all bar a progressive one on her most recent outing at Wetherby and is feared most ahead of Foster'sisland, who should be spot on following his Carlisle reappearance.