Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 39.37s

Ace Of Spades²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| BF

5/2

Steadily progressive over hurdles and enhanced his already good strike rate when seeing off 5 rivals on 2½m Aintree reappearance. Good efforts in defeat both starts since and should go well again.

Form: 142-142

Bold Endeavour^p³⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130

9/2

Useful hurdler/chaser at best for this yard. Well held all 3 starts after rejoining Laura Morgan last season but potentially well handicapped back with this stable.

Form: 40/07PP-

Onewaywest²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 126| BF

3/1

Much improved over hurdles this season, winning at Warwick/Wetherby in a week in November. Set to go close to completing the hat-trick when falling at the last at Kempton on Boxing Day and remains of interest.

Form: 052-11F

Don Virginia^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

9/2

Won twice over hurdles in the first half of the season and good fourth at Newbury over Christmas. Not taken lightly.

Form: 132154

Benign Dictator²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Joshua Bryan| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

17/2

All the better for belated comeback (off 22 months) when winning at Warwick on New Year's Eve, off the bridle long way out but forging clear after the last. up 6 lb in better race but respected all the same.

Form: 3142/01

Sole Solution²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117

13/2

Ended last season with a career-best hurdles win at Sandown and resumed from 10 months off with an encouraging third at Uttoxeter on chase bow. Ran no sort of race at Haydock next time but this lightly-raced sort is worth another chance back in this sphere.

Form: 6211-35

Non-Runners

Loup De Maulde⁶⁶⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 9

T: R L Llewellyn J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

Forecasts

Ace Of Spades (5/2), Onewaywest (3/1), Bold Endeavour (9/2), Don Virginia (9/2), Sole Solution (13/2), Benign Dictator (17/2), Loup De Maulde (12/1)

BOLD ENDEAVOUR struggled last season but he's potentially very well handicapped back with Nicky Henderson so could be worth chancing. The likeable Ace of Spades continues on the upgrade and is a solid alternative, with the thriving Onewaywest another to consider.