Chas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 56.73s

Esprit Du Potier³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 124

15/2

Dual bumper/hurdle winner who showed he retains his ability after a long absence when fourth in a 7-runner Ayr handicap last month. No show at Haydock next time, but perhaps that race came too soon and he's worth a second look for the yard that saddled the winner of this 12 months ago.

Form: 1P17/4P

Baratablet¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 120

4/7

Yet to finish out of the first 3 and raised his game another notch when accounting for 12 rivals on return in a 20.3f Newcastle handicap. 7 lb rise fair enough and this trip shouldn't be an issue, so it's pretty much all positive where this 5-y-o is concerned.

Form: 22131-1

Both Barrels⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D W Whillans| OR: 119| CD

8/1

Off the mark over C&D on final run of 2023/24 campaign and also ended last season on a winning note in a 20.4f Ayr handicap. However, he finished neared last than first on his reappearance and may need another run or two before reaching concert pitch.

Form: 21/761-8

Eloi Du Puy²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 112| C

20/1

Four-time winner of handicap hurdles at up to 21f during 2023/24 campaign, but only seen out twice last season and opposable back in this sphere following a couple of unsuccessful attempts over fences last month.

Form: 10/F3-U5

Magic Wave²³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 111| C

13/2

Very lightly-raced 9-y-o who cashed in on a falling mark in a 20.8f handicap here in April. No disgrace in finishing third of 7 over this C&D the following month and his record when fresh is a good one, so there's cause for optimism.

Form: P/0601-3

Parisian Fashion³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 105

18/1

Successful Irish pointer who opened her account under Rules in a Newcastle maiden hurdle in March. Made the frame switched to handicaps next 2 starts and, though well below par last time, she wouldn't be without hope if able to put her best foot forward here.

Form: 3413-46

Pure Sirloin^v¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 89

40/1

Just the one win to his name, namely a Navan handicap hurdle back in 2023 for Gavin Cromwell. More miss than hit for present yard and looks up against it from 9 lb out of the weights.

Form: 46P3-P3

Forecasts

Baratablet (4/7), Magic Wave (13/2), Esprit Du Potier (15/2), Both Barrels (8/1), Parisian Fashion (18/1), Eloi Du Puy (20/1), Pure Sirloin (40/1)

It's unlikely that a 7 lb rise will be enough to stop BARATABLET in his tracks, given the manner of his recent reappearance display at Newcastle. He gets the nod ahead of Magic Wave, who lacks a recent run but he has won twice before on the back of absences of six months or more and will be a threat if again ready to roll following a break. Esprit du Potier and Parisian Fashion are others to consider.