Border Minstrel New Menu Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 62y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110

Useful in France and fared better than for a while when fifth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (25/1) 85 days ago with headgear discarded, making headway before 3 out before hampered and blundering at the last. Drops in grade and could be on the way back.

Form: 7430-05

Wolfspear^p¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Bourke| OR: 105| D

Ran better when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh 38 days ago but well-beaten ninth of 11 at Ayr (14/1) 10 days ago, not fluent and dropping away quickly. Without a win in over two years and needs to bounce back.

Form: 243549

Eton Mes¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 105| D

Showed much improved form to open his account on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (7 runners, heavy 3/1) 15 days ago, travelling well before leading run-in. Up 5 lb but likely to have more to offer.

Form: 5-94441

Forest Blaze^v¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 103| BF| D

Has been running well in handicap hurdles this winter, with two seconds from his last three starts. Second of 13 at Wetherby (15/8 fav) 17 days ago, proving better than ever in a first-time visor and staying on well. Up 3 lb for that effort and should give his running again with visor retained.

Form: 14-5232

Red Cadillac⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 103

Won at Carlisle 3 months ago before running well when second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (4/1) 69 days ago, led 3 out but headed run-in, no match for improver. Up 5 lb in higher grade but merits respect following another career best.

Form: 4326-12

Les's Legacy^t,p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 102| D

Hasn't won since a fortunate success at Hexham last June and was tenth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Catterick (50/1) 18 days ago, perhaps needing the run after 11 weeks off. Seems best at Kelso/Hexham.

Form: 251P60

Another High Five⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 101

Has progressed with each run over hurdles. Third of 10 in maiden hurdle at Kelso (9/1) 41 days ago, shaping as though he'll benefit from longer trips. Gets that here and likely improver again on handicap debut, though stable having a quiet spell.

Form: 2/5-23

Aire Spray⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 99| BF| D

Had jumped poorly at Wetherby before being sharpened up by first-time cheekpieces when gambled on second of 13 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (5/4 fav) 59 days ago, finding only a progressive rival too strong. Cheekpieces removed and up 3 lb but remains one to be interested in.

Form: 135-642

Yapper Hill⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 92

Lightly raced gelding who ran out at this course before finishing seventh of 11 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (22/1) 44 days ago, proving more straightforward but beaten 19½ lengths. Back up in trip but plenty to prove.

Form: F-385R7

Forecasts

Eton Mes (5/2), Forest Blaze (3/1), Aire Spray (4/1), Red Cadillac (11/2), Another High Five (8/1), Jericoacoara (12/1), Wolfspear (20/1), Yapper Hill (25/1), Les's Legacy (33/1)

A case be made for several of these, but ETON MES showed much improved form when switched to handicaps, opening his account at Uttoxeter 15 days ago, and likely has more to offer again. Aire Spray was very well backed when second here last time and remains of interest, with Jericoacoara another to note dropped in grade.