DragonBet The Independent Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 4m 57.51s

Stolen Silver^p1,t⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 141

14/1

Very smart chaser at his best but made early mistakes when pulled up on his Chepstow return and failed to make an impact back over hurdles at Aintree next time. Has been off a couple of months. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: P0/19-P6

Santos Blue^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

10/1

Likeable type who resumed progress during second half of last term, winning over 2½m in the mud at Wetherby and Uttoxeter. Should strip fitter for last month's Doncaster reappearance and must enter calculations.

Form: 72101-5

Knight Of Allen⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 123

7/4

Lightly-raced hurdler who posted his best effort yet when creditable third of 14 in handicap (14/1) at Haydock (18.9f, soft) 53 days ago. This slightly longer trip promises to suit and he warrants plenty of respect.

Form: C21-33

Lemoncello²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119

5/1

Useful recruit from France who again gave signs of finding his feet for this stable when second in 4-runner affair over C&D 25 days ago, albeit flattered by proximity to winner.

Form: 321-P42

Jour D'Evasion^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Stan Sheppard| T: H D Daly| OR: 116| BF

6/4

Novice hurdle winner last season and second to smart mare at Sandown (2m) in November. Bettered that effort when second at Wincanton (15.2f, heavy) 41 days ago, chased home idling winner. Respected back up in trip.

Form: 1P3-U22

Non-Runners

Kamaxos³⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 8

T: R A Teal J: Non Runner

Zacony Rebel²⁸

Weight: 10-2| Age: 10

T: S-J Davies J: James Best

Forecasts

Jour D'Evasion (6/4), Knight Of Allen (7/4), Lemoncello (5/1), Santos Blue (10/1), Stolen Silver (14/1), Kamaxos (25/1), Zacony Rebel (66/1)

KNIGHT OF ALLEN posted his best effort yet when third in a useful handicap at Haydock towards the end of November and, with the still longer trip sure to suit, he's an appealing candidate to notch a second career success. Santos Blue is a likeable type who should be all the better for his reappearance, while Jour d'Evasion is well worth another try at this trip given how he shaped at Wincanton.