William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | 3m 110y | 8 Runners | Turf

Billy Lee Swagger^p¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 109

8/1, bit below form ninth of 18 in handicap hurdle at Galway (24.3f, soft) 100 days ago. This is an easier assignment.

Form: 24/294-9

The Miracle Man¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A L T Moore| OR: 106| CD

C&D winner. Fourteenth of 15 in handicap hurdle (15/2) at Galway (21.9f, good to soft) 17 days ago. Better expected with that return under his belt.

Form: FU216-0

Paddy's Milestone³⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr S Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 105| D

4/1, career best when winning 13-runner handicap hurdle at Down Royal (24.1f, good to soft), suited by increase in trip. Off 12 months but he's unexposed over 3m and is in excellent hands.

Form: 74440/1-

Cullig^h,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Simon Torrens| T: P T Foley| OR: 103| D

10/1, fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Tipperary (23.3f, soft) 36 days ago. Shortlist material with that return to action behind her.

Form: 6122-P4

Sphagnum^p,t⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Broderick| OR: 103

11/2, tenth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Sligo (25.5f, good) 83 days ago.

Form: 81PF-80

Rocky's Howya³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR: 102| D

Remains a maiden after 21 NH runs. Below form fifteenth of 24 in minor event chase at Cheltenham (26.3f, good to soft, 11/1). Off 8 months. Switches from chase to hurdles.

Form: 1/2410-U

Plain Or Battered^p²⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 92| D

Fourteenth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Cork (24.4f, soft, 11/1). Off 6 months. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 153P40-

Gather Yourself¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny Gilligan| T: C Collins| OR: 89| BF

3/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Sligo (25.4f, good to soft) 18 days ago, pulled up before 2 out and clearly wasn't right. This will reveal more.

Form: 780-04P

Forecasts

Paddy's Milestone (9/4), Billy Lee Swagger (9/2), The Miracle Man (5/1), Rocky's Howya (6/1), Cullig (8/1), Sphagnum (10/1), Gather Yourself (10/1), Plain Or Battered (12/1)

PADDY'S MILESTINE was better than ever when making his first start over 3m a winning one a year ago and though off the track since, he represents an excellent yard. He gets the vote in favour of Cullig and Billy Lee Swagger.