South West Rail Solutions Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 19.20s

Aurigny Mill³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Joe Anderson⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 139| CD

15/8

Took his form to a new level (formerly with Victor Dartnall) when a most impressive winner of 2m Newbury handicap in November. Not so good at Ascot next time but back on the up with a 19f course win last month. Should remain very competitive despite a further 8 lb rise.

Form: 04-P161

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Liari⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| BF| D

85/40

Three-time juvenile hurdle winner last season. Has run with credit in defeat in handicaps this season, leaving the impression 2½m may have just stretched his stamina when third at Musselburgh last time. Player having been eased a further 2 lb.

Form: 11P-363

Stream Of Stars³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124| D

11/1

Reappeared from lengthy absence as good as ever, recording back-to-back wins at Fontwell in September/October. Best run since when third of 7 to Aurigny Mill over 19f here last time but remains 4 lb above his latest successful mark.

Form: 4/11653

Luttrell Lad^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 121| CD

4/1

Scored at Cartmel in July 2023 and followed that with several creditable efforts in defeat, including when fourth in an 8-runner Southwell handicap (2m, heavy) on New Year's Day.

Form: 37-4064

The Widdow Maker^t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 118| CD

9/1

C&D winner who shaped as if retaining ability back from a 2-year absence when sixth of 14 over C&D 14 days ago. Ought to be sharper now.

Form: 423FP/6

Schmilsson²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy| OR: 116| BF| D

12/1

Second hurdle success when shading a tight finish in 2m Wetherby handicap in October. No more than respectable in-frame efforts in his next 2 hurdle starts and below par back on AW Flat last month.

Form: 123-134

Non-Runners

Out Of Office⁴⁶⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Aurigny Mill (15/8), Liari (85/40), Luttrell Lad (4/1), The Widdow Maker (9/1), Stream Of Stars (11/1), Schmilsson (12/1), Out Of Office (14/1)

LIARI seemed stretch by 2½m at Musselburgh on New Year's Day and might be worth siding with to resume winning ways having eased 4 lb in the handicap since the start of the season. Aurigny Mill is thriving for new trainer Robert Walford and is feared most ahead of Stream of Stars.