John And Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 45.34s

Calshot Spit²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 100| CD

14/1

Latest success came in a 0-100 C&D handicap in September 2024. Disappointed last season but best not judged too harshly on latest start over C&D in March, making headway when blundering 3 out. Remains to be seen if he can get back on track following 8 months off.

Form: 21538P-

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Bridge⁵⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 100| CD

10/1

Off the mark with a wide-margin victory in a C&D maiden hurdle in December 2023 but hasn't been seen since finishing runner up over C&D in April the following year. Clearly likes it here but market may prove best guide returning from 19-month absence.

Form: 613372/

Our Papa Smurf³⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 96

20/1

10f winner on Flat and showed much improved form on third start over hurdles, winning an 8-runner juvenile hurdle at Warwick (16f, soft) this time last year. Off since but has run well fresh and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him take another step forward now sent handicapping by in-form yard.

Form: 561-

Master Dunraven²¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 90

20/1

Fairly useful winner over 1¼m on the Flat for Johnny Murtagh. Yet to match that form over hurdles but wasn't given a hard ride on handicap debut at Ffos Las (20f, good) in May. Likely to be capable of better at some stage and is worth noting for support on return.

Form: 904-8

Storming Nelson¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 90

4/1

Exeter novice winner last January but offered little in handicaps last season. Ran better than for a while on reappearance/first start following wind surgery when fourth in a 12-runner handicap at Chepstow (2m, soft) last month. Mark continues to fall but needs to prove he can back that up.

Form: P07P9-4

Crossbeau³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 90

10/11

Off nearly 17 months prior to getting off the mark in likeable fashion landing a 16-runner handicap hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) 27 days ago, ridden positively and responding willingly to pressure. Up 6 lb but another bold showing on the cards with Sean Bowen retained in the saddle.

Form: 54/247-1

Smart Casual^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 82

9/2

Still a maiden but has placed multiple times over hurdles/fences. Fell on final start last season and attracted some support when well held on his return (first run since wind surgery) at Ffos Las last month, likely needed the run. Entitled to be in the mix if back on song.

Form: 3232F-8

Forecasts

Crossbeau (10/11), Storming Nelson (4/1), Smart Casual (9/2), Bridge (10/1), Calshot Spit (14/1), Our Papa Smurf (20/1), Master Dunraven (20/1)

CROSSBEAU was much improved when making a winning return at Chepstow last month and is fancied to follow up with Sean Bowen retained in the saddle. The market should offer plenty of clues regarding the returning Moore runners, handicap debutant Our Papa Smurf perhaps the most likely of the pair on paper. Of the rest, Smart Casual should take a step forward from his reappearance, while Master Dunraven merits a market check.