Lucia Stevens Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 3m 57.17s

Phoenix Risen^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 100| CD

11/4

Took this in 2023 and comes here on the back of a good third of 7 in handicap over C&D (good) 30 days ago. Another bold showing is on the cards off the same mark.

Form: 921493

Dirty Den^v1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 96

9/2

Knocking on the door over hurdles but he came in last of 5 in handicap at Hereford (16f, good) on his debut over fences 14 days ago. Not taken lightly back in this sphere with a visor replacing cheekpieces.

Form: 642225

Taritino¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 88

2/1

A fair winner on the Flat and he shaped well when third of 14 over C&D 15 days ago. A likely player off an unchanged mark.

Form: 7-68F53

Kintaro^t,v⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 80

15/2

Remains winless but he posted a creditable third of 5 in selling hurdle at Exeter (18.5f, good) 7 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 04F643

Karakoy^h,t¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 76

16/1

A fair winner on the Flat but yet to match that form over hurdles and he was pulled up in 2m3f Fontwell handicap on Boxing Day. Hood goes back on with more required.

Form: 86-943P

Postponed Legacy³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 79

7/1

Lightly-raced maiden who came in a well-held third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (15.8f, good to soft) 38 days ago. Needs to take a step forward from 3 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 5453

Galactic Glow^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: J Tickle| OR: 71

40/1

Still to win in this sphere and he came in only fourth of 5 in novice hurdle over C&D 15 days ago. Something to find on form.

Form: 8-839P4

Forecasts

Taritino (2/1), Phoenix Risen (11/4), Dirty Den (9/2), Postponed Legacy (7/1), Kintaro (15/2), Karakoy (16/1), Galactic Glow (40/1)

Joe Tickle's TARITINO signalled he is ready to go close when a recent third over C&D so edges the vote in this tight-knit handicap. Phoenix Risen captured this prize in 2023 and seems sure to be on the premises again with Dirty Den and Kintaro also worthy of consideration.