PH Betts (Holdings) Ltd Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 3m 55.19s

For Pleasure^t³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| CD

6/1

Fine start for this yard in winter 2023, winning over C&D/at Fontwell prior to scoring on the Flat at Chelmsford last April. Added another victory to his tally when making all at Haydock in December and arrives fit from a spin on the Flat at Southwell just over 5 weeks ago. Plenty to like.

Form: 115-421

Bluegrass^p,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 119| CD

11/8

Put reappearance to good use when successful over C&D in first-time cheekpieces in November. Followed up at Huntingdon a month later and having disappointed here on New Year's Day, looked better than ever when runner-up at Doncaster just under 2 weeks ago. Player nudged up 2 lb.

Form: 0-611P2

Secret Des Dieux³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: James Owen| OR: 118| CD

10/1

Fair form in bumpers and odds-on winner of C&D maiden/Hereford novice on first 2 starts of this season. Emphasis on stamina counted against him when third on handicap debut here on New Year's Day and found listed company all too much at Huntingdon (19.6f, good to soft) last month.

Form: 2-71135

Admiralty House^h³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 115| D

5/1

Lightly-raced winner who was a good third of 8 in 2m Haydock handicap in the mud in December. Ran below form after 7 weeks off when well beaten at Taunton (16.5f, soft) since so needs to bounce back quickly.

Form: 22/2U30

Ip Up⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 115| BF| CD

15/2

Added to an underwhelming season so far when well-beaten last of 4 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (16f, soft) in January. Has dropped back to her last winning mark now reverted to hurdles but needs to show more before becoming of interest.

Form: 6-54264

Max Of Stars³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 112| D

16/1

Took very well to hurdling in the first half of last season, winning 4 times, and back to that sort of form when second over C&D last summer. Not in same form on Flat or in this sphere since, though, so it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 427-246

Casi Crudo²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 105| BF

11/2

Not stood much racing since runner-up twice in handicap company in 2023 but last 2 efforts represented a step in the right direction, worth marking up slightly when third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (16f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Every chance he can add to his sole previous win.

Form: 22-0U23

Forecasts

Bluegrass (11/8), Admiralty House (5/1), Casi Crudo (11/2), For Pleasure (6/1), Ip Up (15/2), Secret Des Dieux (10/1), Max Of Stars (16/1)

CASI CRUDO is knocking firmly on the door, so Alex Hales' 6-y-o is worth chancing to add to his sole previous success. The main threat may emerge from For Pleasure, who was last seen in this sphere when winning at Haydock in December and arrives fit from a spin on the Flat. Bluegrass looks best of the remainder.