1664 Biere Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 4m 52.2s

Hermino AA^p1³²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 139

11/1

Proved better than ever after 8 months off when successful at Newbury (24.2f) in November. Failed to back that up in 2 subsequent hurdle runs during the winter and not for the first time he failed to convince over larger obstacles at Kempton last month. This more suitable with cheekpieces on.

Form: 43/1473-

Punta Del Este⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 133

12/1

Dual winner in 2023/24 who posted a trio of useful efforts in handicaps over the winter for Dan Skelton. Grade 2 company proved beyond him on stable debut at Fontwell in February and return to handicaps much more suitable. All wins on soft/heavy, however.

Form: 01/3535-

West To The Bridge^p⁸⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

9/1

Still capable of useful form despite his veteran status and turned in his best effort for a while to score for the first time in almost 2 years in 11-runner event at Wetherby in February. Should remain very competitive after a 4 lb rise.

Form: 4/33451-

Tune In A Box^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126

18/5

Scored for fourth time in handicap company at Punchestown (19.5f) last April. Ran with plenty of credit when hitting the frame in handicaps at Cheltenham/Chepstow towards the end of last year and possible he'll strip fitter for his midfield effort at Aintree (20f) 4 weeks ago. Respected.

Form: 1/04250-

For Pleasure^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

5/1

Four wins since joining this yard, the latest at Haydock (2m, soft) in December. Lightly raced since, stepped up to this sort of trip when second of 5 in handicap hurdle at Fakenham (20f, good, 7/1) 32 days ago. Can be competitive again from same mark.

Form: 5/42152-

Monviel^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 121| D

11/8

Largely underwhelming last season but tumbled down the weights as a result and, eased in class, ended long losing run in 10-runner handicap hurdle (9/1) at Ffos Las (20f) 27 days ago. Good second in this race from 8 lb higher mark 12 months ago and he's of interest again.

Form: 870001-

Donnie Azoff^t²⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 115

9/1

Form during first half of last season was patchy following a reappearance victory at Stratford (16.3f) last June, pulled up when last seen at Hereford in October. Needs to bounce back returning from 6 months off.

Form: 14257P-

Forecasts

Monviel (11/8), Tune In A Box (18/5), For Pleasure (5/1), Donnie Azoff (9/1), West To The Bridge (9/1), Hermino AA (11/1), Punta Del Este (12/1)

MONVIEL bounced back to form having dropped in class/eased in the weights when ending a losing run over this sort of trip at Ffos Las 4 weeks ago and, competitive from much higher marks last term (runner-up in this from 8 lb higher) he may well be capable of following up. Tune In A Box will find this less demanding than his Aintree assignment and is feared along with For Pleasure and veteran West To The Bridge.