Bluebell Wood Recycle Your Christmas Tree Handicap Hurdle

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 132| C

Likeable front-runner ended last term on the up, winning back-to-back 2m handicaps. Disappointing when tailed off at Chepstow on reappearance and stamina to prove now stepping up in trip.

Form: 2F211-6

Castle Carrock²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 132

2/1

Bolted up in a bumper at Ayr on debut and impressed when beating Diva Luna on hurdle/stable debut at Sandown (soft). Not disgraced in strong company final 2 outings last season but could only finish tenth of 18 in the Greatwood on reappearance. This is less demanding, however.

Form: 1136-0

George's Lad²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 128| CD

15/8

Landed a maiden in good style over C&D last season and came on for his reappearance when fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle (11/1) at Ascot (15.7f, good) 21 days ago. Will be suited by a return to this trip and must be taken seriously.

Form: 221F-34

Peacenik¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Katy Price| OR: 123

7/2

Novice winner last season who shaped as if better for the run after 7 months off when third of 7 at Exeter (18.5, soft) 19 days ago. Should strip fitter for the outing and ought to be capable of making a significant impact from this sort of mark.

Form: 41325-3

Beau Quali^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121

11/2

Wasted no time getting back on track reverting to hurdling when good second of 7 in handicap hurdle (7/1) at Southwell (20.4f, soft) 28 days ago, pulling clear of rest with an unexposed stable-switcher. Should remain competitive.

Form: 26-2152

Harel Du Marais³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: R T Dunne| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 107

16/1

Fared better than of late reverting to hurdling when third in 6-runner handicap (15/2) at Huntingdon (15.8f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Up in trip and in much deeper waters here, however.

Form: 31U663

Forecasts

Castle Carrock (5/2), Beau Quali (3/1), George's Lad (3/1), Peacenik (5/1), Bucephalus (8/1), Harel Du Marais (14/1)

GEORGE'S LAD came on plenty for his return when finishing a close fourth at Ascot 3 weeks ago and, with this step back up in trip sure to suit, he can prove himself well treated. Castle Carrock impressed during his novice season and will find this much less demanding than the Greatwood, while Peacenik also needs considering with his reappearance under his belt.