Chris & Louise Fairburn Handicap Hurdle

Quite a useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls and struck at the second time of asking for his new stable in small-field handicap at Carlisle (25f, heavy) in December. Below that level since, however, and quickly back over timber following a heavy defeat over fences at Perth last month.

All 4 wins over hurdles at this course and runner-up in handicap chase here (21.4f) on Boxing Day. Heavy defeats twice over fences and also last returned to the Flat days ago. Lots to prove.

Shaped nicely when third at Uttoxeter and having been eased 3 lb, he snapped his losing sequence at Stratford a month ago. 5 lb rise for that comfortable success looks very fair.

Useful sort at his best who cashed in on a reduced mark when landing a 20.6f course handicap in January. Rather mixed bag since but on the plus side he is now below that winning mark. Tries this trip for the first time in a long while.

Racked up a hat-trick around 2m last summer and showed he doesn't need headgear when adding to tally at Hexham in June. Clearly wasn't right at this venue a month ago and headgear back on upped in distance.

Attitude and jumping has always been questionable but he has recorded plenty of placed efforts in the last 12 months, including another near miss at Uttoxeter 3 weeks ago. In better heart than most but comes with risks attached for win purposes.

Unreliable type overall but a brace of placed efforts in May/June at up to 25.5f (latterly at this venue) confirm he's in reasonable nick. Recent spin on the level will have served a purpose. New headgear combination tried.

Below his last winning mark, gained over fences last summer and better than the result suggests when fifth at Perth last month. Interesting runner on the back of that.

Successful twice over hurdles during second half of 2023. Back from a quiet spell when third in first-time cheekpieces at Perth in June and cast aside a lesser effort on the Flat when fourth in 2m handicap here last month. Significantly up in trip.