Southwest Rail Solutions Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 43.59s

Issam^p,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: T Symonds| OR: 128| CD

5/2

Won twice last season, including this same race, and returned with a rallying fourth in Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in October. Went backwards from that effort at Newbury (20.5f, good to soft) 19 days ago, but could fare better back here.

Form: 1201-46

Investment Manager^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125| CD

14/1

Won over fences at Newton Abbot (25.8f) in May and capitalised on lower hurdles mark at the same course (26.5f) in September. However, lacklustre display when third of 5 in handicap chase at Wincanton (25.1f, good) last time, so bounce back called for.

Form: 2P-1713

Into The Park⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123

5/6

Plenty about him physically and improved when bagging a Newbury maiden and Taunton handicap (both at around 2m) early this year. After 7 months off, possibly needed the run in Silver Trophy at Chepstow in October, so he remains with potential.

Form: U3114-0

Mayhem Mya³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 116| C

9/1

Opened chase account at this course (17.5f) a year ago and has shaped well in defeat on several occasions since. Faced a stiff task back hurdling in listed race at Auteuil (17.9f, soft) last month, but others still preferred.

Form: P24-4PF

Centara^h⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 111| D

11/1

Bumper winner who scored twice over hurdles last season, ending the campaign with success in a Taunton handicap (19f) in April. However, after 7 months off (had wind op) he shaped as if amiss when pulled up at this course (16.7f, good) in November.

Form: 41561-P

Non-Runners

Lac De Constance⁶²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Into The Park (5/6), Issam (5/2), Lac De Constance (11/4), Mayhem Mya (9/1), Centara (11/1), Investment Manager (14/1)

ISSAM has won both starts over C&D, including this race last year, and is one to be with, while Into The Park could step forward from his reappearance.