Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Handicap Hurdle

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁵⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 110

Fair 7f winner on Flat for Aidan O'Brien and similar form on 2 of his 3 starts in maiden hurdles for present stable, albeit making hard work of things when third on qualifying run at Fakenham (20f) 38 days ago. Further increase in trip can help now handicapping with cheekpieces reached for.

Form: 723

Gentleman Jacques^v,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 109| C

Made a low-key start for current connections but back in a better heart equipped with a visor/tongue tie, building on his Exeter second when a facile winner of 15-runner handicap here (19.8f, heavy) 4 weeks ago. In the mix again back up in trip.

Form: 7-P4421

Cast's Tasha^t,p1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 109

Smooth traveller who returned better than ever when scoring at Ffos Las (21.9f, heavy) in November. Shaped better than distance beaten suggests when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f) 26 days ago and another entitled to respect. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 1P6-124

Iris Des Issards⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Godfrey| T: K Woollacott| OR: 106

Ex-pointer who is yet to taste success under Rules but again made the frame when fourth at Exeter (21.6f) in December. In trouble some way out when well-beaten tenth in handicap at this course (19.8f) 6 weeks ago and he needs to bounce back.

Form: P52-340

The Blueberry One⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 105

Promise on second of 3 starts in novice company and much improved after 10 months off when second of 11 on handicap debut at Ffos Las (20f, heavy) 46 days ago, well suited by the increase in trip. In good hands and he's one to consider now stamina is tested further.

Form: 067-2

Klic Boum¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101

Caught the eye in maiden/novice hurdles and similar story in handicaps, noted finishing with running left when third in 10-runner contest at Hereford (19.7f) 2 weeks ago. Further increase in trip looks firmly in his favour here and he's one to be interested in.

Form: 707753

Shan't Wait⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 101

Has hinted at promise all 3 starts at around 2m over hurdles, fourth of 13 in novice hurdle (150/1) at Newbury (16.3f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Rates the type to benefit from this step up in trip now handicapping and yard amongst the winners.

Form: 674

Almuhit^t⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: G Brown| OR: 93

Had wind surgery prior to shedding maiden tag over hurdles in 11-runner novices' handicap at Southwell (20.4f) 9 days ago, keeping on well. Looks a live player with a repeat under a penalty.

Form: 767501

Non-Runners

D'jo Dela Barriere⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: Evan Williams J: Ellis Collier

Forecasts

Gentleman Jacques (5/2), Almuhit (10/3), Klic Boum (9/2), The Blueberry One (6/1), Mohawk Chief (7/1), Shan't Wait (12/1), Cast's Tasha (14/1), Iris Des Issards (25/1), D'jo Dela Barriere (25/1)

KLIC BOUM not for the first time caught the eye when third at Hereford (19.7f) 2 weeks ago and he could be worth siding with given he remains the type to do better still upped in trip. This is competitive though, with last-time-out winners Almuhit and Gentleman Jacques heading the dangers. The Blueberry One isn't dismissed lightly either.