Cortaflex For Horses, Dogs & People Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 6m 31.47s

West To The Bridge^p¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

17/2

Still capable of useful form despite his veteran status, ending near 2-year losing run at Wetherby (19.7f) in February. Far from disgraced in a couple of Uttoxeter handicaps subsequently and should continue to give a good account.

Form: 2451-44

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Up For Parol⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 126

15/8

Back to winning ways at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in January and bounced right back to that sort of form following 11 weeks off when excellent fourth of 12 in a handicap at Cartmel (25.4f) on Monday having been suited by the emphasis on stamina. Slightly longer trip in his favour and can go well again.

Form: 3/2156-4

Lihyan^h¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 125

4/1

5-time winner over hurdles for current connections and again showed his ability to come from last to first in a falsely-run race when sprinting to victory in a 4-runner race at Huntingdon (25f) earlier this month. Yet to win off a mark this high but warrants respect in another small-field contest.

Form: 1302-81

Imperial Merlin⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 125

6/1

Ended a 2-year losing run on first start following a breathing operation when landing a 0-120 at Haydock (24.3f) in March. Not for the first time made mistakes when running to a similar level back up in grade at Ayr (24.3f) the following month. May need some leniency from the handicapper.

Form: P/52317-

Bethpage²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

3/1

Progressive mare who notched fourth career win following a wind op in a 3-runner Wincanton handicap (24.7f, good) in March. Unlucky not to follow up at Cheltenham (20.3f) next time and only narrowly pipped by a fellow improver back up in trip at Market Rasen 22 days ago. Solid claims under Cobden.

Form: 32012-2

Jaytee⁴⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Ian Williams| OR: 122| D

16/1

In good order when last seen in the 2023/24 season, his 4 wins including 2 handicap hurdle victories at Doncaster (24.4f) Good record under Brian Hughes but more on his plate up in class from a career high mark following a 16-month absence.

Form: 18P121/

Forecasts

Up For Parol (15/8), Bethpage (3/1), Lihyan (4/1), Imperial Merlin (6/1), West To The Bridge (17/2), Jaytee (16/1)

UP FOR PAROL has developed into a fairly useful stayer and he ran a cracker in a competitive handicap at Cartmel on Monday. A similar performance over the slightly longer trip can see him take this at the expense of the progressive Bethpage, who was as good as ever back in open company at Market Rasen earlier this month. Consistent veteran West To The Bridge should give another good account,