Suzuki UK 'King Of Quads' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 5m 53.55s

Honneur D'Ajonc^p⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 118| D

25/1

Multiple hurdles winner who opened his account over fences at Hereford (20.9f) 13 months ago. However, it's essentially been a struggle since, again finishing well held over fences at Wincanton in January. Return to timber needs to have positive effect.

Form: 1PF-P37

Black Kalanisi^p³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Ian Williams| OR: 116

8/1

In good form on the Flat since joining Ian Williams, winning staying events at Pontefract and Newmarket during the autumn. Creditable third back over hurdles at Chepstow (23.6f) in December and no forlorn hope if dispelling a lesser run at Warwick 30 days ago.

Form: 4245/34

Canty Bay³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 115

5/2

Landed a Taunton maiden (19f) on return in November and in process of running well when falling at Wincanton next time. Latest third on handicap debut at Lingfield (19.5f) was a creditable display and he could yet have more to offer now his stamina is tested further.

Form: 3/86-1F3

Herakles Westwood²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 114

6/4

Fair form in bumpers and firmly on the up over hurdles, bringing up the hat-trick in handicaps when accounting for 10-rivals at Catterick (19.3f) 4 weeks ago, again finding plenty for pressure. Likeable sort and he's firmly in the mix again despite career-high mark.

Form: 94-7111

Le Grand Lion^p,t1⁶⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: B Pauling| OR: 100

7/2

Lightly-raced 8-y-o who opened his account over hurdles at Huntingdon in December 2021. Absent since finishing down the field over fences in spring the following year but returns from 21 months off with his yard in great nick. Tongue tie on. Worth considering with Harry Cobden booked.

Form: P4516/5-

Gentle Victor⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: William Shanahan⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 98

14/1

Well held only start in bumpers but some promise on first of 3 starts in novice hurdles during second half of last year. Up in trip for handicap debut following 81 days off, so worth monitoring in the betting for clues.

Form: 7586

Non-Runners

Gustoso⁴⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: H D Daly J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Herakles Westwood (6/4), Canty Bay (5/2), Le Grand Lion (7/2), Black Kalanisi (8/1), Gustoso (8/1), Gentle Victor (14/1), Honneur D'Ajonc (25/1)

LE GRAND LION has a lengthy absence to overcome yet he returns to action from a potentially lenient mark for a yard going great guns and in a first-time tongue tie he could just be worth chancing with Harry Cobden an eye-catching booking. Herakles Westwood has developed into a most likeable sort and he's highly respected in his bid to land the 4-timer. Canty Bay is another to note with his stamina now tested further.