bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 6m 36.36s

Saint Bibiana^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: G Nicholls| OR: 110| D

13/2

Progressive when upped to around 3¼m in handicap hurdles last summer, winning 3 on the bounce before going close in bid for the 4-timer at Newton Abbot. Below that level both starts over fences, travelling with little fluency at Taunton latest, and now back over hurdles.

Form: 112634-

Bobalot^p,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: L Horsfall| OR: 101| C

11/4

Course winner who opened his account for current yard in 9-runner handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (25f, good to soft) 18 days ago, cosily. 7 lb higher mark may not prevent the follow up.

Form: 02U331-

Jongleur D'etoiles^p,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 101

7/4

Resumed progress to make it 3 wins from his last 4 starts at Wincanton (24.7f) in March. Another good effort when close second in 5-runner affair at Fakenham last month and should remain competitive.

Form: 511312-

Dear Ralphy^t,v1³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 96| CD

11/2

C&D winner who failed to come on for recent run when second of 5 in handicap chase at Plumpton (25.7f, good) 34 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles. Visor on for 1st time.

Form: 6/21232-

Mersey Street⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 88

5/1

Got off the mark in 23f handicap hurdle at Fakenham in January, making all. Not disgraced despite beating only one in similar event there next time prior to shaping as if amiss at Bangor. May bounce back.

Form: 2P415P-

Forecasts

Jongleur D'etoiles (7/4), Bobalot (11/4), Mersey Street (5/1), Dear Ralphy (11/2), Saint Bibiana (13/2)

BOBALOT got off the mark for current yard in cosy fashion at Huntingdon last month and he's the percentage call to follow up from a 7 lb higher mark. Jongleur d'Etoiles showed he's still improving when going down narrowly at Fakenham on his most recent outing and is feared most.