Racing UK Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 16.8s

Emitom⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 130| D

15/2

Grade 2 winning hurdler earlier in his career who justified support when making a winning start for the Alan King yard over 3m at Newbury in March. Bettered that when runner-up at the same venue on his reappearance but ran badly just a fortnight later at Haydock. Freshened up since.

Form: P/4P1-2P

Hurricane Harvey^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128| CD

7/2

Recorded back-to-back wins around 3m last winter, including this corresponding race. Creditable efforts in defeat this season, including in a strong handicap at Newbury (24.2f) last time, and he ought to be in the shake-up once again.

Form: 392-394

Saint Davy²⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

6/5

Fetched £270,000 after winning sole point start and successful first 2 starts under Rules, taking a Carlisle bumper and a maiden hurdle at Chepstow. Found Grade 1 company too much at Aintree (24.7f) when last seen in April but sights very much lowered for handicap debut.

Form: 1/119-

Grove Road^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽³⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 122

12/1

Sedgefield bumper winner who looked a promising stayer in the making when winning a brace of novice hurdles in late 2022. Reappearance third in a Ffos Las handicap (3m, heavy) was quite encouraging and it might be worth ignoring his subsequent run over fences. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 1125-3P

Burrows Park²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 112| C| D

7/2

Veteran who ran creditably from a career-low mark when second in 6-runner handicap at Chepstow (23.6f, heavy) 27 days ago. Possibilities if backing that effort up.

Form: 400-452

Non-Runners

Balkardy²⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: Evan Williams J: Miss Eleanor Williams

Forecasts

Saint Davy (6/5), Hurricane Harvey (7/2), Burrows Park (7/2), Balkardy (4/1), Emitom (15/2), Grove Road (12/1)

BALKARDY has been knocking firmly on the door of late and is taken to gain reward for his consistency. Saint Davy is an unexposed handicap debutant who warrants obvious respect, while last year's winner Hurricane Harvey ran well in a race proving to be strong form at Newbury last time and can make his presence felt, too.