We Love You Goodwin Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 58.10s

George's Lad²²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 128| D

11/4

Off the mark upped in trip when winning hard held in a Doncaster maiden (19.4f) and would have hit the frame on handicap debut but for falling at the last in a competitive novice final at Sandown. Likely rainfall will bring his stamina into play and there should be more to come from this 5-y-o.

Form: F/5221F-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Goodwin^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 119| CD

9/2

Yet to fulfil the promise shown as a novice hurdler but back to form in headgear last month, dictated to resume winning ways in a C&D handicap and ran well in defeat when fourth in a deeper race at Uttoxeter. Respected given his course record but soft ground would be something of an unknown.

Form: 66-P014

Kap Vert¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 118

5/1

Beat a useful one when successful on second hurdle start at Exeter (heavy). Shaped better than the beaten distance over a longer trip on handicap debut and wasn't disgraced when seventh in a competitive handicap at Punchestown (19.2f) last time. Should make more impact back in calmer waters.

Form: 513367-

Paso Doble^p¹⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

14/1

Fairly useful Flat winner who quickly reached a similar level over hurdles in 2021, winning a pair of 2m novices. Showed he retains ability on return from a long absence last season, runner-up on his latest hurdle start before a disappointing chase debut. Ought to be competitive on hurdles return.

Form: 621/722-

Kamaxos^t1²²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 115WS

9/4

Overcame a near 2-year absence when last successful (off 2 lb higher) at Sandown (2m, soft) in February last year and still showed ability for Roger Teal last season. Has had a breathing operation in the interim (wears first-time tongue tie) and looks interesting on stable debut/reappearance.

Form: 3/P9F50-

Aggagio^p1⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 109| CD

13/2

C&D winner snapped a long losing run when last successful over hurdles at Warwick (2m) in March. Disappointed on subsequent hurdle starts but has been in better form on the Flat of late. Can be competitive if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect back over hurdles.

Form: 655148-

Gold Souk^t¹²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Steele| OR: 90| C

125/1

Hasn't raced over hurdles since a string of below-par efforts in the 2022/23 season. Offered little in a trio of Flat runs following a 23-month absence and has plenty to prove from 12 lb out of the handicap on hurdles return.

Form: 117PP5/

Forecasts

Kamaxos (9/4), George's Lad (11/4), Goodwin (9/2), Kap Vert (5/1), Aggagio (13/2), Paso Doble (14/1), Gold Souk (125/1)

A case can be made for nearly all of these, but it might pay to take a chance on KAMAXOS who races from below his last winning mark and looks to have plenty in his favour if back to his best on stable debut. Kap Vert has some solid novice form and finds himself in calmer waters than he faced at Punchestown in April, while fellow 5-y-o George's Lad merits consideration with the forecast rain likely to bring his stamina into play.