Mark De Triomphe Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:35 | Winning time: 4m 5.50s

Castel Gandolfo^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| CD

3/1

Won Summer Hurdle at this course last season and seemingly ticking over in two starts so far this season. Already back below his last winning mark and while feasibly treated, connections may have one eye on the bigger pot on offer here next month.

Form: 16799-5

Roxanne²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| D

9/2

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat for Ed Dunlop and successful on first 2 hurdles starts, winning with plenty in hand under a penalty at Newton Abbot last month prior to falling when still in contention at Ffos Las 15 days later. Assuming all is well, she remains with potential now handicapping.

Form: 1-1F

Reach For The Moon²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 113

10/3

Smart Flat winner who struck at fourth attempt over hurdles at Worcester (2m) in July. Suited by emphasis on speed when defying a penalty back from a break at Fontwell (17.7f) in October, beating fairly useful type. Jumped and ran poorly final start last season but could go well again after a break.

Form: 4/4C119-

Max Of Stars¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 105| CD

11/8

Took very well to hurdling in 2023/24 winning 4 times. Had been in the doldrums but ran creditably on the Flat following wind surgery prior to justifying support back over hurdles when making all to comfortably land a 7-runner handicap at Southwell 10 days ago. Still well treated under a penalty.

Form: 24664-1

Forecasts

Max Of Stars (11/8), Castel Gandolfo (3/1), Reach For The Moon (10/3), Roxanne (9/2)

Having bounced back to form with a comfortable success at Southwell 10 days ago, MAX OF STARS remains well treated under a penalty and may be able to dictate this 4-runner affair from the front under Brian Hughes. Fairly useful on the Flat, and already a dual hurdles winner, the lightly-raced Roxanne remains open to improvement on handicap debut, if none the worse for her fall at Ffos Las last month. Of the rest, Reach For The Moon has gone well fresh previously and could bounce back.