Aston Martin Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:53 | Winning time: 4m 5.40s

Zambezi Fix²¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 126| D

25/1

Added to his good Chepstow record with chase and hurdle wins last season. Has run well over C&D before but it might be best to look elsewhere for win purposes away from Chepstow.

Form: 4122F1-

Ooh Betty^t²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 123WS

9/2

Three wins last season, including a Hereford handicap, and ended her campaign with a series of good placed efforts. Has had wind surgery ahead of reappearance. Should be competitive if ready to roll.

Form: P12232-

Lario^t¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| D

6/5

Winner of his completed start over hurdles for Anthony Charlton last winter and creditable third in novices in the spring on first 2 outings for Harry Derham. Failed to feature in a warm C&D handicap on his final start but no surprise were he to make more of an impact this time.

Form: U133-0

Hystery Bere^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jordan Nailor| T: T Symonds| OR: 118| D

16/1

Fairly useful hurdle and chase winner. Fit from a respectable third over fences at Exeter last month but might be vulnerable to some of the less-exposed sorts in this line-up.

Form: 2P3-3P3

Peking Opera^p1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114| CD

18/1

Useful on Flat for Aidan O'Brien and made winning hurdle debut over C&D in February. Well held in fourth when falling last in the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton 3 weeks later but retains potential now handicapping for the first time in this sphere. Fit from the Flat and wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1F-

Don Hollow^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| D

13/2

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner in 2022 and made an encouraging return from an 18-month absence when fifth of 11 in 17f Carlisle handicap 17 days ago. Given a chance to build on that promise.

Form: 34176/5

Jour D'Evasion^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 112| D

7/2

Fair novice hurdle winner last season. 14/1 when unseating at the first on Ascot handicap debut/reappearance 8 days ago.

Form: 221P3-U

Forecasts

Lario (6/5), Jour D'Evasion (7/2), Ooh Betty (9/2), Don Hollow (13/2), Hystery Bere (16/1), Peking Opera (18/1), Zambezi Fix (25/1)

DON HOLLOW gets the nod to build on a promising comeback run at Carlisle last month. Peking Opera should be spot on for this after a pair of Flat runs last month and is second choice ahead of Lario, who should find this a touch easier than the ultra-competitive novice handicap he contested here when last seen in the spring.