William Hill Epic Boosts Daily Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 33.1s

Icare Allen^t⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124

17/2

Both wins in Britain at Uttoxeter, latterly a 2½m handicap under Benjamin Macey in July. Sound-enough efforts both starts since and back from a short break with yard in better form now.

Form: 260147

Glen Road¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 119| CD

11/8

Made it 4 wins in his last 6 starts when proving too strong for 9 rivals at Kelso 3 weeks ago, driven clear to see off a well-backed rival. Up 7 lb but he can remain competitive.

Form: 161-311

Malicash^p1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118| D

9/2

Won maiden/novice hurdles in the spring. Remote second on 19.5f Bangor handicap debut/reappearance but stepped up on that in form terms when third at Kelso 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces go on for the first time.

Form: 4112-23

Sunray Shadow^t1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 115

9/1

Looked a nice prospect when landing 2m4f Aintree maiden hurdle last October. Easy to back and limited impact in a brace of handicaps in recent weeks but he's certainly in the right hands. Up in trip and improvement may well be forthcoming.

Form: 1313-57

Golden Glance^p,t⁶¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 110

28/1

Maiden winner at Haydock in 2023 and runner-up in handicaps at Aintree and Newcastle last winter. Has 20-month absence to overcome but figures on a tempting mark if all is well. One to monitor in the betting.

Form: 772245/

Daylatedollarshort²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 110

7/2

Stoutly-bred gelding was successful on sole start in Irish points. All the rage in the betting when second in a 7-runner novice on hurdle/stable debut at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft) finding test inadequate. Again shaped like a stayer at Bangor and he now goes handicapping for excellent yard.

Form: 124

Be The Difference²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 109| D

8/1

Goes well this time of year, unpenalised for Bangor when completing a hat-trick in decisive fashion at Sedgefield 3 weeks ago. Up 8 lb here but he's clearly thriving.

Form: 033111

Forecasts

Glen Road (11/8), Daylatedollarshort (7/2), Malicash (9/2), Be The Difference (8/1), Icare Allen (17/2), Sunray Shadow (9/1), Golden Glance (28/1)

GLEN ROAD continued the progressive thread when landing a solid-looking handicap at Kelso 3 weeks ago and while a 7 lb rise asks for more, he could well be up to the task. Be The Difference chases a 4-timer so is another thriving sort, while Sunray Shadow could be the potential improver in the line up.