Best Racing Odds At Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 50.64s

Salsada^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: B Ellison| OR: 121| CD

9/2

Useful Flat winner who went close in a handicap hurdle at Hexham (16.2f, good) in October. Has an in-and-out profile and ran no sort of a race at Wetherby next time, but then followed that up with victory over C&D in this grade (won easy and second has won since). Capable if on another going day.

Form: U662P1

Matchless^b²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 119

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler who didn't need to be anywhere near that level to land the odds in 4-runner seller at Plumpton (15.9f, good) last month. Faced tougher assignment back in handicap company under penalty when fourth of 6 at Wetherby (19.5f, soft) 29 days ago and bit to find in new headgear.

Form: 64-4214

Harper Valley^v³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| BF| CD

9/2

Three hurdles victories (one at this course) and nearly added fourth in a first-time visor at Kelso last month. Up 3 lb for that (visor retained) and gave his running when third to Salsada here 30 days ago (took keen hold, stumbled on home bend, one pace late on). Third in this last year.

Form: 30-5323

Foster's Fortune²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 110| C

10/11

Improved greatly for the switch into handicaps, opening his account at this venue in May (has made the frame in all four starts here) and scoring 20 days ago (17f, soft) decisively. That was a career-best performance and it's unlikely to be the ceiling of his ability now up in trip.

Form: 4-12321

Punxsutawney Phil^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 109| C

12/1

Sole hurdle success was gained in a maiden over 3 years ago but followed up second behind Salsada by making all (having got first run) in a 0-105 handicap at Musselburgh (24f). Clearly in good heart but this is a tougher race.

Form: P67-421

Romeo Brown^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 106| D

12/1

Long time without a win and hasn't fired yet this season (last seen with seventh of 8 at Doncaster 26 days ago), so others are more persuasive, although does have headgear re-fitted and talented conditional jockey taking over.

Form: 5PP-777

Forecasts

Foster's Fortune (10/11), Salsada (9/2), Harper Valley (9/2), Matchless (11/1), Romeo Brown (12/1), Punxsutawney Phil (12/1)

This can go to SALSADA who travelled powerfully when scoring over C&D in similar conditions 30 days ago, and judging by the manner of her victory, a 7 lb rise may not be enough to stop her. Foster's Fortune is a standout danger. He loves it here and should relish the step up in trip, although his latest win did come on ground much slower than he will encounter today. It would not be a surprise to see C&D winner Harper Valley run well either.