Celebrating Dick's 90th Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 3m 50.87s

Impero^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jordan Gainford| T: C Collins| OR: 129| D

5/2

Prolific winner over hurdles for current connections, resuming progress after 4 months off when landing a Ballinrobe handicap in April, travelled well. Struggled in Listed class at Punchestown later that month but has to be respected dropping back into a small field handicap.

Form: 111910-

Rewired¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 115| D

6/5

Lost way for Dr Richard Newland was able to take advantage of a much-reduced mark for current connections at Newcastle (17f, good) in March. Creditable third at Hexham later in the month, prior to winning emphatically at Hereford (16.2f) 16 days ago. Still well-treated on the best of his old form.

Form: 86013-1

Findthetime^p³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 101| D

10/1

Completely lost his way over fences (reportedly bled when well held at Wetherby in March). Couldn't capitalise on fair hurdles mark when well beaten in a 2½m Perth handicap last month and has questions to answer now from 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: PPP667-

Simple Star¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 101| D

4/1

Wasted no time in getting back to form when fourth of 7 at Perth (16.2f) 10 days ago, doing well to finish as close as he did having pulled hard off a steady pace. Races from 2 lb out of the handicap but remains fairly low-mileage over hurdles and could have a big say if racing more efficiently.

Form: 008/19-4

Hourless^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 99| D

12/1

Fair juvenile hurdle winner for Alan King offered some promise for current connections when third at Carlisle (19.3f) but failed to back that up when trailing the field at Hexham (16.2f) earlier this month. Likely faces uphill task from 4 lb out of the handicap.

Form: U4763-6

Forecasts

Rewired (6/5), Impero (5/2), Simple Star (4/1), Findthetime (10/1), Hourless (12/1)

IMPERO has successfully made the running previously and could have a tactical edge in this trappy 5-runner handicap. He's taken to capitalise on this return to calmer waters at the expense of Simple Star, who rates a serious danger if settling better than last time, while the resurgent Rewired could still be well-treated on his best form.