bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:34 | Winning time: 4m 50.30s

Hajey²³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 121| CD

22/1

C&D winner but off the track since a rare below-par sixth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f) in February. Has gone well fresh though so needs considering.

Form: P61226-

Jaramillo⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 116| CD

13/8

Scored over C&D in September but he's an unreliable sort and came in last of 13 in Flat handicap at Kempton (12f) 9 days ago. No surprise to see him get back on track here.

Form: P4-2471

Harper Valley^p¹⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 113| CD

11/4

Scored three times last season, including over C&D, and he ran well in first-time cheekpieces when fifth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f) in May. That form has been franked so big shout off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 43130-5

Finisk River^p,t³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 113| CD

9/2

Resumed winning ways at Bangor in September and not discredited when fifth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (21.6f, good) 30 days ago. Also took this event in 2022 so he's very much one to consider.

Form: P-43215

The Navigator¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 101| C

10/3

Course scorer who resumed winning ways in 6-runner handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f, good to soft) 14 days ago. Up 4 lb but he's weighted to go well again.

Form: R60-191

Forecasts

Jaramillo (13/8), Harper Valley (11/4), The Navigator (10/3), Finisk River (9/2), Hajey (22/1)

None of these can be ruled out but HARPER VALLEY enjoyed a very good time of it last season and this C&D scorer looks the way to go with the form of his latest Kelso fifth having been well advertised since. Dianne Sayer's versatile course winner The Navigator heads the list of dangers, with 2022 victor Finish River also firmly in the picture.