Friends & Family Remembering Norman Sharpe Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 3m 35.77s

Howth^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 128| D

11/4

Fairly useful staying handicapper on Flat for Michael Appleby who has made a smooth transition to hurdling, making it 4 wins from only 5 starts at Newton Abbot, albeit workmanlike in landing the odds. More on his plate in a handicap but has to be of interest again.

Form: 11311

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Aucunrisque⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 126| CD

16/5

Gained a first success since the 2023 Betfair Hurdle when landing a useful 2m Ascot handicap in November. Had lost form prior to finishing third in Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton and back into his shell over timber since, albeit soft ground was against him when last seen in June.

Form: 0023-57

Brave Knight^p⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123| D

6/1

Fairly useful 2m winner on Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and scored 3 times over hurdles for Paul Nicholls last summer. Arrived fit from the Flat and fitted with cheekpieces, he was disappointing the Summer Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen in July. Off since and this is easier.

Form: 1114-0

Nap Hand³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 115| BF| D

13/8

Three-time winner on the level and translated that ability to hurdles when placed twice around the turn of the year. After a spell back on the Flat, he landed the odds in novice hurdle at Stratford in July. Failed to land the odds at Market Rasen since but assessor given him every chance.

Form: 325-12

Renoir¹¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 109| BF| D

12/1

Flat winner for Thomas Faulkner and has taken well to hurdling for his current yard, off the mark in a Hereford novices' handicap (16.2f, good) in March. Similar form when fourth at Worcester this trip more suitable than 18.7f when last seen in May.

Form: 2241-43

Forecasts

Nap Hand (13/8), Howth (11/4), Aucunrisque (16/5), Brave Knight (6/1), Renoir (12/1)

NAP HAND was clearly disappointing when failing to land the odds at Market Rasen a month ago and another tactical affair would be a slight worry but he figures on a very tempting mark, so he gets the vote. Brave Knight drops back in class so is second choice, ahead of the prolific Howth.