Care For Veterans Charity Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 4m 57.01s

Mark Of Gold²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 140| C| D

12/1

Won 21f Kempton handicap in February. Arrives fit from the Flat (respectable third at Goodwood last month) and capable of playing a part.

Form: 54F10-P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Onemorefortheroad^v1²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 129

5/1

A dual chaser winner who has run with credit back hurdling at Newton Abbot and Chepstow this autumn. First-time visor replaces regular cheekpieces. Likely to be in the shake-up again.

Form: 269323

Enthused^b1¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: James Owen| OR: 124| C

14/1

Most likeable sort who gained a sixth hurdle success when seeing off 7 rivals over 2m here in September. Not in the same form twice since but it's possible a change of headgear (first-time blinkers for visor) will perk him back up. Also up in trip.

Form: 915148

Irish Hill^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124

9/4

Won 3 on the bounce during 2022/23 campaign and recorded plenty of creditable efforts in defeat last season. Ran no sort of race in the Silver Trophy last season but well treated if bouncing back in a change of headgear (cheekpieces he wore once at the start of his career replace blinkers).

Form: 29532-P

Forever William^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 119| CD

10/3

Three-time winner for Alan King. Stepped up on his low-key debut for this yard when third of 8 in Newton Abbot handicap (21.5f, good) in September. Well held in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow since but should make more of an impact back in a less-competitive scenario.

Form: 16-7730

Yellow Star^b²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118

10/3

Fairly useful form at best on the Flat and similar form in this sphere, successful in a 2m Lingfield novice (soft) in February. Creditable fourth of 11 in 2m Chepstow handicap on reappearance and the longer trip this afternoon promises to play to his strengths.

Form: 3147-44

Godot^p²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 107| CD

25/1

C&D winner who was also successful over fences here in January. Below par when last seen in the spring and best watched back hurdling from 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 615274-

Forecasts

Irish Hill (9/4), Yellow Star (10/3), Forever William (10/3), Onemorefortheroad (5/1), Mark Of Gold (12/1), Enthused (14/1), Godot (25/1)

YELLOW STAR could prove suited by this increased test of stamina and is preferred to Irish Hill, who ran a stinker in the Silver Trophy but is well treated if a change of headgear and a return to calmer waters sparks a revival. Onemorefortheroad has run well back hurdling this autumn and should also feature.