attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 15.32s

Vocito^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

1/1

In good form for new yard, gaining a third 2m maiden/novice win of the season when scoring by 6 lengths at Stratford (2m, good to soft) 23 days ago. Leading claims back in a handicap.

Form: 5-21151

Gardener³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 119

7/1

Fairly useful dual winning chaser for this yard last season but well-held sixth back over hurdles on Fontwell reappearance. Should strip fitter but Vocito looks the yard first string here.

Form: 1U1P4-6

Royal Mer^t¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 118

6/1

Notched 5 wins in an excellent first campaign over fences. Presumably found a busy spell catching up with him when pulled up at Aintree in the spring. Reverts to hurdles on reappearance.

Form: 52111P-

Major Fortune¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

4/1

Big improver when stepped up to 2½m+ last season, winning 5 on the spin and only narrowly denied the 6-timer at Ayr in April. Probably even more to come this term but the drop to around 2m isn't sure to suit.

Form: 111112-

Celtic Art^p¹⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 117

14/1

Returned to form to win at Lingfield (2m) last November. Below par at Uttoxeter when last seen in May but he's dropped back to the mark he defied at Lingfield. Player if ready to roll after 6 months off.

Form: 16433-8

Wewillgowithplanb¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 113

12/1

Hurdle winner in Ireland who struck twice over fences for Richard Bandey, latterly at Leicester (2m, heavy) in February. Found the Welsh Champion Hurdle too hot on his reappearance but this is easier.

Form: 12/531-0

Non-Runners

Pirates' Tale¹⁶³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: J D Frost J: H Cobden

Forecasts

Vocito (1/1), Major Fortune (4/1), Pirates' Tale (4/1), Royal Mer (6/1), Gardener (7/1), Wewillgowithplanb (12/1), Celtic Art (14/1)

VOCITO has been prolific since joining Olly Murphy and is taken to go in again. Celtic Art has returned to the mark he defied at Lingfield at a similar time last year and is second choice ahead of Pirates' Tale. Major Fortune should have even more to offer this season but the drop back to around 2m is a concern given his improvement last term came over much longer trips.