Coral Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 23.94s

Better Getalong⁷⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 120| CD

12/1

Veteran who returned to form with a vengeance after 7 months off when winning 11-runner C&D handicap (soft) in December. Task is now to back up his latest effort from 5 lb higher this time around.

Form: 3/245-41

Largy Shark⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 116| C

15/2

Course novice winner last season. Respectable sixth of 20 in 2m Navan handicap on reappearance in November but raced too freely under a 5 lb claimer stepped up to 2½m at Aintree 3 weeks later. Given a bit of time since and retains potential if settling better with Daryl Jacob back in saddle now.

Form: 5/411-6P

Duyfken^t1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111| D

4/1

Signed off last term with a win at Perth and built on pair of placed efforts this term when resuming winning ways over 2½m at Musselburgh in January. Creditable third of 12 there off this mark since. Tongue tied first time.

Form: 21-3313

Both Barrels⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 109

7/2

Made the frame all 3 starts in bumpers last season and similar story in a pair of novice hurdles this time round. Looks on a competitive opening handicap mark.

Form: 343-43

Dance Thief²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Smith⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 103| D

14/1

Point winner who has improved for switch to handicaps in this sphere, finishing second at Carlisle and here in December. Needs to shrug off a disappointing effort at Musselburgh 3 weeks ago, though.

Form: 435220

Fame Valley⁷⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 99

33/1

Runner-up on his 2m course handicap debut in January 2022 but finished lame when only sixth in a C&D novice the following month and not seen since. Can only watch.

Form: 354426/

Eire Street⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 91

5/4

Placed in bumpers in summer 2022 and left his qualifying runs over hurdles well behind when bolting up on last week's Carlisle handicap debut (17f, heavy). A 7 lb penalty is unlikely to stop him if in similar form.

Form: 23-9871

Forecasts

Eire Street (5/4), Both Barrels (7/2), Duyfken (4/1), Largy Shark (15/2), Better Getalong (12/1), Dance Thief (14/1), Fame Valley (33/1)

EIRE STREET pulled 25 lengths clear on last Monday's Carlisle handicap debut and will be hard to beat under a penalty if in the same mood. Largy Shark had an excuse at Aintree last time and had a positive profile prior to that so he's second choice ahead of Duyfken.