Barbers Flooring Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 3m 51.50s

Gardener³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Lewis Stones| T: O Murphy| OR: 112| D

11/1

Fairly useful form when winning twice over fences for this yard in 2023/24. Below that level over hurdles this season but there were better signs when third at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) in December, though not in the same form at Ffos Las (20f, heavy) last time.

Form: 4-6U834

Whispering Royal²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 108

40/1

Fair Flat winner who made all in juvenile hurdle at Doncaster in December 2023 and soon left behind a lesser effort when fourth of 7 on handicap hurdle debut at Fakenham in March last year. Off 6 months (from Flat) ahead of first run since leaving Alan King.

Form: 3164-

Don Rafael⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 107| D

6/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Stratford in July and doubled his tally in handicap at Hereford (19.7f, good to soft) in November. Found it tougher at Ascot (21.6f) last time when also caught wide, so he could bounce back returned to this grade/distance.

Form: 132319

Aggagio³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 106| D

4/1

Fairly useful handicap hurdler at best and step back in the right direction when fifth of 8 at Lingfield (19.5f, soft) in December, making late headway. Filled the same position back at Lingfield last time and he's interesting from his current mark.

Form: 2F-7655

The Grey Man³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: H Dickin| OR: 105| D

11/4

Took a step forward sent handicapping when getting off the mark at Leicester in January and backed up that effort when third of 11 at Bangor (16.7f, heavy) a month ago. Respected with more still to offer in handicaps.

Form: 223-713

King Ulanda^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 105| D

5/2

Bumper winner on only start for Tom Weston and left previous hurdles form behind when making a successful handicap debut at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago, scoring readily. Leading contender with further improvement to come.

Form: 16561

Ilitch⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Murray Dodd⁽³⁾| T: S Edmunds| OR: 103WS

9/1

Placed on last of 3 outings in bumpers for Stuart Crawford and, fit from points, promise on hurdling debut when fourth in maiden at Fakenham on New Year's Day. Ran to similar level at Huntingdon last time, but more needed as he goes handicapping (has had wind op).

Form: 3P-3F44

Forecasts

King Ulanda (5/2), The Grey Man (11/4), Aggagio (4/1), Don Rafael (6/1), Ilitch (9/1), Gardener (11/1), Whispering Royal (40/1)

KING ULANDA proved a different proposition sent handicapping when opening his hurdles account in good style at Musselburgh last time, so he is taken to follow up for last year's winning trainer/jockey of this race. He can see off the challenge of The Grey Man, who has also made a promising start in handicaps, with Aggagio another one to note.