Broxton Gates Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 28.24s

The Famous Five⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 110

1/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in France who came good at the fifth of time of asking over hurdles for Venetia Williams when readily seeing off 5 rivals in a 2m Leicester handicap (heavy) in January. A 5 lb rise could prove lenient.

Form: 9/3341

Thank You Blue^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 110| BF| D

13/2

Placed in 2 bumpers for Sam Thomas and made a winning start over hurdles for new stable at Sedgefield since (17f, soft) in November. Fair fourth there next time but disappointed on handicap debut (Sedgefield again) last month. Bounce back needed.

Form: 3/2-145

El Jefe^h,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 106| D

9/1

Better than ever this season, completing a hat-trick at the end of 2023 and resuming winning ways at Sedgefield (17f, heavy) 11 days ago. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 114381

What A Johnny¹¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 106| BF

13/2

Placed on both completed starts in Irish points and made a winning hurdling debut in 6-runner novice at Stratford (2m, heavy) in November. Bettered that form when third under a penalty at Sedgefield later that month. Given a break ahead of handicap debut. Respected as an unexposed sort.

Form: 3F2-13

Professor Klump^p,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 101| D

17/2

Idled and only just held on in a 17f Carlisle maiden in February. That was a weak race and he may not be able to get away with a similar lack of focus now handicapping.

Form: 53-5731

Mullins Cross¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 94| CD

9/1

Irish raider who won over C&D on heavy in December but has found life tougher since. Needs a return to this venue to spark her back to life.

Form: 510045

Jumbo Veste Verte³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: T R Gretton| OR: 87

20/1

Modest form, finishing third in small-field handicaps at Catterick and Southwell on his last 2 outings. More will be needed here.

Form: 6-9433

Forecasts

The Famous Five (1/1), What A Johnny (13/2), Thank You Blue (13/2), Professor Klump (17/2), El Jefe (9/1), Mullins Cross (9/1), Jumbo Veste Verte (20/1)

THE FAMOUS FIVE's Flat ability provides the hope for better now he's up and running over hurdles so he can make light of a 5 lb rise for Leicester. Lightly-raced handicap newcomer What A Johnny is feared most ahead of the prolific El Jefe.