United Council Of Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:58 | Winning time: 6m 0.27s

Glinger Flame^p⁹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 132| CD

16/1

At the veteran stage but he was as good as ever last autumn, including a win in this race. Well beaten back from 8 months off at Uttoxeter in July but no surprise were he to bounce back to form with a bang.

Form: 83113-8

Wakool^p¹⁹⁷

10/1

Useful hurdler who scaled new heights when winning the Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock in February 2023. Largely struggled last season but his mark has come down as a result. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 6F2069-

Ottizzini¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 122| BF| D

9/4

Won maiden/novice events at up to 3m last season. Not at best in a Kilbeggan handicap when last seen in May but the yard's good Ayr record affords her respect on return.

Form: 3P124-7

Haute Estime^t¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| BF

16/1

Campaigned over fences in recent times, pulling up at Perth when last seen in April. Switches to hurdles back from a break. Check the betting.

Form: F5563P-

Faithfulflyer^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115| D

10/3

Improved with back-to-back wins at Kelso and Uttoxeter at the start of the summer and better than ever when second back at Kelso (21f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Big player.

Form: 0-11552

Shoeshine Boy^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 109| CD

7/4

Made it 3 wins in his last 5 starts when shading a tight finish on his 23f Hexham reappearance 3 weeks ago. Endured a hard race, though, so might be worth opposing this time.

Form: 41155-1

Forecasts

Shoeshine Boy (7/4), Ottizzini (9/4), Faithfulflyer (10/3), Wakool (10/1), Glinger Flame (16/1), Haute Estime (16/1)

FAITHFULFLYER arrives on the back of a career-best second at Kelso last month and gets the vote. Stuart Crawford enjoys plenty of course success so his mare Ottizini may give him most to do ahead of last year's winner Glinger Flame.