Golden Era Of Betting: BetMGM Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 7m 1.42s

Spike Jones^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 116| CD

9/2

Dual C&D winner in 2022/23 season (including this race) and successful return after 11 months off in 23f Lingfield handicap fitted with cheekpieces, pulling it out of the fire late. One to consider up just 2 lb.

Form: 12/P45-1

Hidden History³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

11/10

£45,000 Irish point winner who struck in heavy-ground Lingfield maiden hurdle in February. Offered more than enough to think he can make an impact from this sort of mark on return/handicap debut at Chepstow last month, not knocked about. Upped markedly in trip and capable of better.

Form: 1/31-7

No But I Will^p⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 114

14/1

Winning hurdler/chaser who probably needed his October run for new yard. They've been among the winners and he scored second time up last season (over fences) so he's not discounted down in class.

Form: 715PR-0

Heaven Smart^b³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107

17/2

Fairly useful 3m chase winner back over hurdles this autumn, well beaten at Kempton latest but running well on return over C&D before that. Can't be dismissed back here.

Form: 1UU-436

Shutupshirley^t1⁷⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 104

13/2

Improving in handicap hurdles when last seen at the end of 2022, scoring at Exeter and Wincanton. Can progress further if all is well. Tongue tie goes on.

Form: 420511/

San Pedro³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: M Goldstein| T: C Gordon| OR: 102| CD

22/1

C&D winner who has been quiet but is back on his last successful mark and a revival wouldn't be a complete surprise.

Form: 417-685

Gata Ban⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94

13/2

Made a winning handicap debut at Taunton (19f) in December 2022 and is seemingly working her way back to fitness, more like it when sixth of 17 at Chepstow 7 weeks ago. Handicapper drops her another 3 lb and she's one to consider upped further in trip.

Form: 2381/86

Forecasts

Hidden History (11/10), Spike Jones (9/2), Shutupshirley (13/2), Gata Ban (13/2), Heaven Smart (17/2), No But I Will (14/1), San Pedro (22/1)

HIDDEN HISTORY made an encouraging comeback/handicap debut at Chepstow in a race that is working out and he could be set for a big run if his stamina holds out upped markedly in trip. 2022-winner Spike Jones made a successful return at Lingfield and can go well again. Gata Ban is another to consider.