Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 6m 39.90s

Dear Ralphy^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 93| BF

11/4

Ran well after a wind-op/summer break when runner-up here in November before going one place better at Chepstow 4 days later, Bumped into a progressive rival at Lingfield the following week and he's a player if showing no ill effects for a chase debut fall last time.

Form: F-P212F

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Flemen's Tipple²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: A Irvine| OR: 90

7/4

Runner-up 3 times from 5 starts in handicap hurdles, including on return here last month. Wilted only late on chase debut at Market Rasen 20 days ago and he's shortlisted back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 8225-24

Weaver's Answer^p1⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 85

11/4

Improved when getting off the mark at Uttoxeter in October and soon bounced back to form when third of 13 in handicap hurdle (10/3) at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) 88 days ago. Plenty of stamina in the pedigree and he's a player upped to this trip in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 443-183

Can't Buy Time^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Cynthia Woods| OR: 84

100/1

Bred to stay very well but hasn't offered much for Padraig Roche or in a pair of starts for this yard.

Form: 606P

Delgany Dreamer^h⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 80

17/2

Mild promise in a couple of spring maidens but flattered to deceive when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, soft, 6/1) 40 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 554-074

Set In The West²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: N F Houlihan| T: R Rowe| OR: 75

16/1

Only poor form at best in 2021/22 and showed nothing after a 22-month absence at Fontwell last month.

Form: 6P853/P

Cards Are Dealt^t³⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G Brown| OR: 75

20/1

Likely flattered by his proximity in a steadily-run contest when fifth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Ludlow (15.8f, good to soft) and he's passed over on return from a 12-month absence.

Form: 05000/5-

Forecasts

Flemen's Tipple (7/4), Weaver's Answer (11/4), Dear Ralphy (11/4), Delgany Dreamer (17/2), Set In The West (16/1), Cards Are Dealt (20/1), Can't Buy Time (100/1)

The trio at the top of the weights stand out here, with the stoutly-bred WEAVER'S ANSWER the narrow pick having only his second crack at a staying trip. Flemen's Tipple is respected back hurdling having shaped as if still in good form on his chase bow last time, whilst Dear Ralphy is also respected if none the worse for a heavy fall on his first foray over the larger obstacles.