Keith Bailey Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 3m 51.50s

Scherbobalob³⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 97| DWS

17/2

Shed maiden tag in quite convincing fashion at Ludlow (15.7f) in spring of last year and not disgraced next 2 starts. However, struggling for form during the autumn, eighth of 12 in handicap hurdle back at Ludlow 11 months ago. Market best guide on return/following wind surgery.

Form: U15/6P8-

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Garitsa Bay⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| BF| D

4/1

Compiling a solid record in handicaps, doubling his tally over 2m at Worcester in June and just as good back from 3 months off when second of 9 at Market Rasen (18.6f) 7 weeks ago. Nudged up further 2 lb ahead of this but respected nevertheless. Down in trip.

Form: 41-3312

Ez Tiger^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 92| D

5/2

Added to his tally at Plumpton (15.9f) in May and proved fitter for a recent run when posting a career-best effort to land 9-runner handicap hurdle at Warwick (2m) 11 days ago. Should go well again up 5 lb.

Form: 46-1531

Cawthorne Cracker^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 90| BF

11/2

Landed a gamble on the back of a breathing operation at Sedgefield (16.8f) in October. Looked set to follow up prior to final-flight fall back there 8 days later and he ran well with his revised mark having kicked in when third at Newcastle (16.9f) latest. In the mix again.

Form: 0081F3

El Vigaro^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: M Sheppard| OR: 83

4/1

Lightly-raced 5-y-o who made more impact than previously when second of 9 in a C&D handicap 15 days ago, no extra only late on. Remains one of the least exposed and not out of things.

Form: 408-592

Rock On Tommy^b,t¹³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 82| BF| CD

11/2

Three-time C&D winner who posted solid placed efforts returned to this C&D, likely to have benefited from a stronger gallop when runner-up in July. Commands respect back from a break given his solid record here.

Form: 000-032

Allibaba²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bruce Lynn| T: P A Kirby| OR: 78

28/1

Better efforts for this yard in pair of handicaps during second half of 2023 but never figured after 11 months off in a C&D handicap 4 weeks ago. Others arrive with much more pressing claims.

Form: PP553-0

Forecasts

Ez Tiger (5/2), El Vigaro (4/1), Garitsa Bay (4/1), Rock On Tommy (11/2), Cawthorne Cracker (11/2), Scherbobalob (17/2), Allibaba (28/1)

Competitive fare for the grade with 3-time C&D winner ROCK ON TOMMY getting the nod. In good order when last seen during the summer, he returns from 4 months off with his yard in tremendous nick and looks too well-handicapped to ignore. Cawthorne Cracker and Garitsa Bay are a couple of others to consider.