United Council Of Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 6m 28.78s

Elvis Mail^t³²²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Dominic Hislop⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 137| C| D

12/1

Veteran course winner who enhanced his fine record fresh when landing a 3m2f handicap chase at Kelso last autumn. Ran no sort of race at Doncaster subsequently but drops in grade on return to hurdles and no surprise to see him make another winning reappearance.

Form: 371P/1P-

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Famous Bridge²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 131| C| D

9/1

Won over hurdles here as a novice but better known as a staying chaser nowadays. First past the post in the Grand National Trial at Haydock and sixth in the Ultima last season but pulled-up in the Scottish National in April. Off lower hurdles mark here but this could be a pipe-opener.

Form: 4/23D6P-

Lavida Adiva²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 130| D

11/2

Showed her speed for shorter (won over 2½m at Aintree) when upped in trip to land a mares' listed race at Kelso (24.5f) in March. Ran another fine race when runner-up over C&D last time and a slowly run race could play into her hands on reappearance.

Form: 812412-

Esprit Du Potier⁵⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 127| C

9/2

Dual bumper winner looked a useful prospect when making all at this track in January 2024 and ran as well as could be expected when seventh in the Grade 1 Mersey at Aintree. Missed last season but not dismissed if the market suggests he's ready to roll on return/handicap debut.

Form: 221P17/

Whistle Stop Tour^p1³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Gregor Walkingshaw⁽¹⁰⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 125| CD

7/2

Third in a strong C&D handicap on latest hurdle start. Initially progressive over fences last season but became disappointing. Given a considerate return to action last time and remains to be seen if he's closer to form in a change of headgear off 3 lb lower hurdles mark.

Form: 115P5-5

Ginger Mail^p²⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 124| C

14/1

Fortunate winner when stepped up in distance at this track (20.5f) in January but followed up with back-to-back poor runs. Has gone well fresh previously though and pedigree (half-brother to the opposing Elvis Mail) offers more hope now upped markedly in trip.

Form: 0/451PP-

Nab Wood²⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 123

15/8

Looked potentially useful when winning twice at Kelso (22.7f) in early 2024. Progressed again when narrowly denied by Ginger Mail at this track (20.4f) in January and wasn't disgraced over a sharp enough test last time. Still low mileage for his age and looks interesting stepped up to 3m.

Form: 11/62U5-

Forecasts

Nab Wood (15/8), Whistle Stop Tour (7/2), Esprit Du Potier (9/2), Lavida Adiva (11/2), Famous Bridge (9/1), Elvis Mail (12/1), Ginger Mail (14/1)

In a trappy 7-runner handicap, veteran ELVIS MAIL could be the way to go given his fine record when fresh. Nab Wood is still lightly raced for his age and makes appeal back over 3m (unseated early on previous attempt), while it will be interesting to see what the market makes of the returning Esprit du Potier on handicap debut.