Hereford Motor Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 5m 37.10s

El Granjero¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 114| C

4/9

Successful on sole outing in points and promise on all starts under Rules, making most of a good opportunity when landing 12-runner maiden hurdle here (19.7f) 2 weeks ago. Return to this slightly longer trip a plus and respected on handicap debut.

Form: 1-42221

Hermes Boy^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 112

12/1

Mark eased plenty and capitalised on drop into class 5 company when successful in refitted cheekpieces at Wincanton (21.3f, heavy) in February. However, off the bridle from an early stage and well beaten when pulled up at Exeter (21.6f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Looks risky with blinkers refitted.

Form: 0-P671P

Cabhfuilfungi^t¹⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 111

7/1

Fair form when landing a Southwell maiden (20.4f) in May and good fourth under a penalty in a Carlisle novice in October. Well-beaten at Warwick a month later (final start for Gary Hanmer) but he could well revive now handicapping for new yard back from 5 months off.

Form: 5/32-147

Petty Cash³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 107

14/1

A hurdler on the up in spring 2022 who fell both starts over fences during 2022/23 campaign. Lit up and effort proved short lived on return from a year off over hurdles at Warwick (21f) 4 weeks ago and this promises to reveal more.

Form: 12/4FF-P

Iron D'ex^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 97| BF

13/2

Fair maiden hurdler who was fitted with first-time cheekpieces when a good second of 7 in handicap here (19.7f) in February. Not disgraced when fifth over C&D next time but needs to shrug off a poor run when pulled up at Bangor (23.2f, heavy) 17 days ago.

Form: 20625P

Non-Runners

River Of Joy²³⁴

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: P & M Bowen J: S Bowen

Kapamazov¹³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: H J Evans J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

El Granjero (4/9), River Of Joy (6/1), Iron D'ex (13/2), Cabhfuilfungi (7/1), Kapamazov (8/1), Hermes Boy (12/1), Petty Cash (14/1)

EL GRANJERO cemented his positive start over hurdles faced with a good opportunity when running out an easy winner here 2 weeks ago and he looks the solid option, with the return to further rating a likely plus now handicapping. Cabhfuilfungi is an intriguing debutant for the Kerry Lee stable and needs monitoring in the market on handicap bow, whilst Kapamazov should appreciate this step back up in trip.