tote.co.uk Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 5m 7.42s

Lunar Power^b³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 137

33/1

Posted a career-best effort (in blinkers) when successful over hurdles at Ballinrobe (22.4f) in May. Shaped better than distance beaten suggests when eighth of 10 on his recent yard debut at Haydock (18.9f) and his mark has eased ahead of this.

Form: 4/930-18

Benson^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 136| CD

7/2

Useful handicap hurdler who deservedly opened account for present yard here in January and followed up in Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso 2 months later. Not at best both starts this season (chasing debut first occasion), however.

Form: 211P-44

Clear White Light¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: A Keatley| OR: 128| D

10/1

Went the right way in handicaps for current yard last term, winning twice at around 2½m. Successful return at Doncaster and latest effort at the same course is best excused, so not without hope.

Form: 1319-14

Afadil^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| BF| C

4/1

Showed himself to be well handicapped when comfortably seeing off 14 rivals at the Ayr Scottish National meeting in April. Back on track when third at Taunton last time and should be involved again.

Form: 821-7P3

Matchless^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 124| BF| C

8/1

Improved when winning 9-runner handicap hurdle here (15.6f, good to soft, 11/2) last month and only just denied in messy contest at Doncaster (19.4f) next time. Should go well again.

Form: 613-212

Holmes St Georges²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 124| C

9/2

Fairly useful hurdler who opened his account here over a year ago. Mostly creditable efforts since and likely needed run at Aintree on return. Not discounted.

Form: 1222-38

In This World¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

5/2

Looked promising when winning on Flat and over hurdles in 2021 and, while he's been very lightly raced since, there were signs of encouragement in his fifth at Cheltenham recently. This isn't as strong and he's worthy of consideration.

Form: 1/3P-65

Forecasts

In This World (5/2), Benson (7/2), Afadil (4/1), Holmes St Georges (9/2), Matchless (8/1), Clear White Light (10/1), Lunar Power (33/1)

MATCHLESS is in top form and, having just been denied at Doncaster last month, he's worth a chance to resume winning ways at the possible expense of Afadil, who is a rare runner at this track for his top stable. In This World is another one to consider.