Rosie Lovekin-Drury Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 5m 16.07s

Thank You Blue⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Lewis Stones| T: J Candlish| OR: 111

15/2

Dual hurdle winner but hasn't looked like following up from higher marks in handicaps. Shaped better than the result when fourth in a Clonmel claiming hurdle last month prior to again disappointing over fences. Should be better off back over hurdles but little room from error from this mark.

Form: 1135-4P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Jazz King³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Joe Anderson| T: A Ralph| OR: 110

9/2

Ran up to his best over hurdles when scoring at Hereford in November. Followed that with a near-miss when just bettered by the fairly useful Chasingouttheblues at Wetherby on Boxing Day but form has regressed since the turn of the year. Leap of faith required.

Form: 212P6-0

Mr Yeats²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 106| D

10/3

Winless since 2022 but was on the premises on debut for these connections when falling 2 out at Carlisle. Went without usual headgear when not seen to best effect at Warwick (21f) last time, not ideally placed. Wasn't given a hard time that day and could be more to come on only 3rd start for yard.

Form: 3433F-5

Spot On Soph^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: S England| OR: 100| CD

15/8

Well backed when winner of this race from same mark last year. Looked the likeliest winner over same C&D when fluffing her lines at the last 7 days on. Shaped as if as good as ever at Cartmel (17.2f) after 9 months off. Step back up in trip will suit and may be able to add to her fine course record.

Form: 31459-3

Lone Star^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 91WS

9/1

On a long losing run but did fare better than she had been when creditable fourth at Kelso (21f) last month. Shaped as though amiss when turned out quickly at Sedgefield 6 days later, pulled-up. Subsequently had a breathing operation and others arrive with more solid claims.

Form: 76P7-4P

Lord Warburton^t,v¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Joshua Thompson⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 83| C

15/2

Modest at best on the Flat (stays 1½m) but made a successful handicap hurdle debut from 13 lb out of the weights at this course in (18.6f) in September. Failed to beat another rival in two subsequent hurdle starts and hard to be enthusiastic about recent reappearance on Flat. Bit to prove now.

Form: 60/61P0-

Forecasts

Spot On Soph (15/8), Mr Yeats (10/3), Jazz King (9/2), Lord Warburton (15/2), Thank You Blue (15/2), Lone Star (9/1)

Last year's winner SPOT ON SOPH looks to have solid claims racing off the same mark 12 months on, having shaped well over a shorter than ideal trip on reappearance at Cartmel last month. Mr Yeats could well be building up to something for new connections and he's feared most, though he may prove even more effective over longer trips/with usual headgear refitted. Of the rest, Thank You Blue should be more competitive back over hurdles having again failed to take to chasing last time.