Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:18 | Winning time: 6m 2.47s

The Real Whacker^t¹⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 146| D

4/1

Useful hurdle form in 2022 and developed into a very smart chaser. Made all in the Charlie Hall in November but had his limitations exposed in top-end Group 1s subsequently. Bigger targets lie ahead but may get his own way in front under Brian Hughes here. Not dismissed back in a handicap hurdle.

Form: 5/U1454-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Chasing Fire¹⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 131| CD

5/2

Course winner had a disappointing time over fences last season but proved he retained plenty of ability when third in a 7-runner handicap hurdle (20.2f) here in April, despite again racing lazily. Sean Bowen back aboard and could be interesting having first crack at a staying trip over hurdles.

Form: 21/7P93-

Imperial Data^p,t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: R P McLernon| T: R Menzies| OR: 128| D

8/1

Proved better than ever to land a double/defy a career-high mark (following another breathing operation) when winning an 8-runner handicap at Cartmel last month. In fine heart as he bids for the hat-trick but unlikely to have much in hand following a 4 lb rise.

Form: 4-45311

Boston Rajj⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| BF

9/2

Fairly useful form to win a hurdle at Sligo (25.8f) in June but has been operating over shorter distances since, conceding weight to all when a distant third in a Downpatrick novice hurdle (21.5f) 6 days ago. Could be more competitive back in a staying handicap under a good-value claimer.

Form: 124353

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 30p in the pound

Non-Runners

Idem¹⁹⁶

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: L Russell & M Scudamore J: P W Wadge

Moonbow¹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 5

T: P Neville J: Charlie Maggs

Forecasts

Chasing Fire (5/2), The Real Whacker (4/1), Boston Rajj (9/2), Idem (11/2), Imperial Data (8/1), Moonbow (8/1)

CHASING FIRE proved he still retained plenty of ability when third in a 2½m handicap here at the end of last season and could well have scope to progress as a staying hurdler. He appeals most re-united with Sean Bowen, with Idem feared most in first-time headgear, having finished a well-backed runner-up in this race on reappearance last year. Very smart chaser The Real Whacker will have bigger targets ahead but isn't discounted if Brian Hughes is allowed to dictate the pace.