LiveScore Bet 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditional & Amateur Jockeys' Race)

Off time: 12:27 | Winning time: 4m 16.98s

Classic Maestro⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-7| J: Mr Edward Vaughan⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| D

4/11

Resumed his progress with emphatic win in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Wetherby (16f, heavy) 6 days ago. Saddles a 7 lb penalty but still not taken lightly.

Form: 1121-51

Grey Diamond^h,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

28/1

Useful handicap chaser at best but little impact in handful of starts for Gordon Elliott and he's not looked a winner in waiting in four starts for current connections. Others appeal more.

Form: 502538

Risk D'Argent²⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Murray Dodd| T: A Ralph| OR: 105

7/2

It's now 13 runs since his last win in 2021 and he was pulled up in handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f) when last seen out 9 months ago. Handily weighted if resurgent after his lay-off though with yard going well.

Form: 37/245P-

Manowest¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr Johnathan Rees⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 102

12/1

A fair maiden hurdler but he came in a below-par fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (2m4f) 17 days ago. This points winner needs to get back on track.

Form: 125304

Bigz Belief^t,v1¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr Paddy Barlow| T: F Brennan| OR: 101

14/1

On a lengthy losing run but he posted a creditable fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (19f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Visor on 1st time and not ruled out.

Form: 5786F4

Non-Runners

Gentleman Bill³⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Ben Smith

Forecasts

Classic Maestro (4/11), Gentleman Bill (15/8), Risk D'Argent (7/2), Manowest (12/1), Bigz Belief (14/1), Grey Diamond (28/1)

GENTLEMAN BILL looked to have more to offer when going in over C&D last month so is fancied to make a winning start in handicaps at the chief expense of recent Wetherby victor Classic Maestro. Risk d'Argent is weighted to have a say too if ready to roll after his absence.