quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 52.62s

Fine Casting^p⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 118

17/2

Fairly useful hurdler at best but hasn't won since December 2022, his best efforts coming with give in the ground. Back to form when last seen in March when fourth in a Class 3 handicap at Newbury. Not ruled out down in class.

Form: 2/60274-

Kaituna River^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 113

6/1

Arrives in great heart following a pair of runner-up finishes, latest when enjoying the run of the race in a Plumpton handicap (25f). Drops in trip but should still be in the mix on current form.

Form: 324822-

Marlacoo³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 112| BF| D

5/6

Bumper winner in Ireland and opened hurdles account at the fifth attempt when landing the odds in a 6-runner Ayr novice (19.5f, heavy). Unable to justify support on handicap debut when too keen, finishing third of 10 at Fontwell (21.8f). Shorter trip no issue and looks well worth another chance.

Form: 32F213-

Miss Maverick¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Hogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 111| CD

3/1

Racked up a hattrick in maiden/novice hurdles at this course in April/May last year. Had been in the doldrums but duly bounced back reverted to positive tactics, better than ever when landing 11-runner handicap hurdle at Hexham (20.1f) 15 days ago. Has to enter calculations returning to this track.

Form: 13PP5-1

Grey Skies^t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109| C| D

14/1

Course novice hurdler winner in 2022. Dual winner of novice chases in 2023 but proved inconsistent towards the back end of last season. Still below form on handicap hurdle debut last month but did shape with more promise until undone by late error. Another step forward required.

Form: 24/2644-

Non-Runners

Gwash³⁰⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: Fern O'Brien

Forecasts

Marlacoo (5/6), Miss Maverick (3/1), Kaituna River (6/1), Gwash (6/1), Fine Casting (17/2), Grey Skies (14/1)

Having been well supported, MARLACOO wasn't seen to best effect when pulling hard on handicap debut. He looks worth another chance over a slightly shorter trip and can record a second hurdles success at the expense of Kaituna River, who arrives in great heart on the back of a pair of runner-up finishes, while course specialist Miss Maverick cannot be ruled out having returned to form last time.