Blue Bell Emsworth Gilos 40th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 37.30s

Diesel D'Allier^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: R Bandey| OR: 125

40/1

Formerly a useful chaser on the cross-country circuit and posted his best effort for a while when sixth of 13 in such a race at Cheltenham last time. Well held first hurdles start since 2017 in a Warwick novice in October but he is on an attractive mark for his handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 4/0P-496

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Doughmore Bay⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 124

9/4

Winning start under Rules in 2½m Worcester novice hurdle in May and good second in another novice there (23f, soft) in October. Had plenty go wrong when seventh of 20 in a Cheltenham handicap since and he remains capable of better.

Form: F-127

Ilovethenightlife⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 124

7/2

Scopey sort who raised her game when landing the EBF Mares' Final at Newbury last March. Back on track when fifth of 10 in handicap at Cheltenham (20.2f, good to soft) last month and, with this step up in trip a potentially good move, she has to enter calculations.

Form: U115-P5

Lassue³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

9/2

Point winner who made a winning handicap debut on the back of a lengthy absence at Chepstow (23.6f, soft) in October. Solid efforts in defeat at Ascot and Kempton since, and she's likely to be in the thick of things once again.

Form: 421/133

Monjules^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: H Fry| OR: 115

12/1

Progressive for this yard last season, winning 3 handicap hurdles, and found just one too good on return here in November. (20.5f, good to soft) 6 weeks ago. No encouragement tried over fences last time but he could have a part to play back in this sphere.

Form: 112-327

Hasty Parisian^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Reed| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 102

5/1

Consistent sort who was in the process of running his usual creditable race back from 4 months off when departing 2 out at Newton Abbot (21.6f, heavy) in October. However, he's hard to make a case for based on his subsequent efforts.

Form: 3-32F57

For Gina^p⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 96

5/1

Hasn't done much wrong since sent handicapping, notching her second success in good style at Fakenham (23.4f, soft) last time. Raised 8 lb for that, plus she's 3 lb 'wrong' here, but her reliability counts for plenty and another bold show could be on the way.

Form: 3-32121

Forecasts

Doughmore Bay (9/4), Ilovethenightlife (7/2), Lassue (9/2), Hasty Parisian (5/1), For Gina (5/1), Monjules (12/1), Diesel D'Allier (40/1)

While cases can be made for the majority of these, DOUGHMORE BAY is almost certainly the one with the greatest potential. He shaped better than the bare result on his handicap debut at Cheltenham and, granted better luck here, he could be the answer. Ilovethenightlife left the impression that this stiffer test would be in her favour when putting in good late work over 2½m on her latest start and she is feared most. Lassue and For Gina are also appealing.