South West Rail Solutions Ltd. Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 3m 55.29s

Max Of Stars³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 118| CD

9/2

Made it 3 wins from as many starts over C&D in July. Lost unbeaten record at the track when brushed aside by one with vastly superior Flat form on most recent outing but still deserves respect based on excellent course record, for all that he's probably too high in the weights now.

Form: 64-1212

Sergeant Fury³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 112| CD

2/1

Won a maiden at Huntingdon and a novice at Stratford to start winning sequence. Completed hat-trick in match race at this course and distance (1/1) 32 days ago, not always fluent but asserting between the last two flights. 2 lb rise in the weights shouldn't prevent another bold bid.

Form: U37-111

Breaking Cover^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 112| C

7/2

Won last two starts since returning to hurdles, including in a novice over C&D last time, but likely to find life tougher back in handicap company.

Form: 32F/4-11

Hope Rising³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 110

5/2

Won twice in novice hurdles this summer and raised her game when second of 8 in a similar event at Stratford (15/8) 32 days ago, finishing clear of the rest. Should remain competitive on handicap debut.

Form: 71212

Polling Day⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 100

9/1

Modest form over hurdles for Archie Watson in 2024. Capitalised on a much-reduced mark on the Flat at Chester (33/1) in June before shaping as if amiss back there last time. Makes first hurdle start for current yard.

Form: F2536-

Forecasts

Sergeant Fury (2/1), Hope Rising (5/2), Breaking Cover (7/2), Max Of Stars (9/2), Polling Day (9/1)

SERGEANT FURY needed only to beat one rival to bring up the hat-trick over C&D last month, but he's clearly in excellent heart and a 2 lb rise may not be enough to prevent the 4-timer. Max Of Stars is a course specialist with 3 wins from 4 starts at Newton Abbot and rates a major danger despite being high enough in the weights now. Hope Rising has shown steady improvement in novice company and could play a major role, also.