Peak Cap & Pearls Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 59.60s

Act Of Authority⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Lewis Saunders⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 126| CD

4/9

Successful on 3 occasions during a productive novice hurdle campaign and all the better for his reappearance run at Chepstow (19.5f) in October when running out an impressive winner of 9-runner handicap at Sandown (19.8f) 6 days ago. Will take some stopping from unchanged mark.

Form: 131-691

Bertie's Ballet³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 120| BF

4/1

Dual bumper scorer who reached a fairly useful level over hurdles last season, winning once from 5 starts having kept good company. Clearly not himself when pulled up on return/chase debut at Hexham 5 weeks ago and connections quick to opt for a return to this sphere.

Form: 21243-P

Liverpool Knight²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 118

10/1

3-time winner over hurdles for Olly Murphy during 2023 and ended time with that yard in good form this summer. Low-key effort back from 3 months off for new yard at Wincanton (15.2f) 3 weeks ago but no surprise to see a better showing back up in trip.

Form: 2-64438

City Derby^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 117| C| D

9/1

Completed a Cartmel 4-timer in staying handicaps this summer and emerged with credit in finishing placed at Perth/Aintree subsequently. Clearly remains at the top of his game but his revised mark demands that little bit more now.

Form: 111132

Forecasts

Act Of Authority (4/9), Bertie's Ballet (4/1), City Derby (9/1), Liverpool Knight (10/1)

ACT OF AUTHORITY proved a different proposition with a reappearance run behind him when running out an authoritative winner at Sandown (19.8f) 6 days ago, his strength at the finish particularly taking. He ought to take some stopping operating from the same mark. Bertie's Ballet and Liverpool Knight can do battle for the forecast spot.