William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Handicap Hurdle

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

Low-mileage sort who has shaped well after 8 months off when in the frame in 2m4f handicap hurdles at Uttoxeter and Sandown this winter. Should make a chaser but ran no sort of race with cheekpieces on for his first try at Exeter last month and quickly reverts to hurdles.

Form: 029-24P

Tormund Giantsbane⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

Bumper winner who made a successful hurdling debut at Carlisle in November. Matched that stepping up markedly in class when fourth of 5 in Grade 2 hurdle at Sandown (13/2) the following month and looks a potential improver now handicapping for his top yard.

Form: 1/12-14

Woodland Park⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| BF| D

Has stepped up his game since returning from a 12-month absence last November, latest when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (11/10 fav) 6 weeks ago, taking a while to knuckle down and wandering before the last. Nudged up another 2 lb but knocking at the door.

Form: 1/21-332

Baratablet⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 120| BF| D

Progressed again when landing a 13-runner Newcastle handicap (20.3f, good to soft) in good style on his seasonal reappearance in December. The race may have come too soon when failing to land the odds at Kelso 18 days later and this 6-y-o may well get back on track here.

Form: 2131-14

Bertie's Ballet²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 119

Returned from 11 months off when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (9/1) 25 days ago, shaping as if as good as ever but given considerate ride. Back up in trip and worth keeping an eye on having finished second in this corresponding race last season (now 3 lb lower).

Form: 62312-7

Captain Butler²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 118

Point winner who landed a Newcastle bumper and Kelso maiden hurdle for Pauline Robson. Good start for this yard when runner-up in Ayr handicap hurdle off this mark on reappearance in November. Below that level in 2 chases since but more like it reverted to hurdles since. Back up in trip a plus.

Form: 15-2645

Kingston Narcissus^t²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 117| D

Returned to winning ways in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (17/2) on Boxing Day, a first-time tongue strap replacing his usual hood helping him settle. Normally a consistent type but turned in a rare poor effort at Catterick on Monday.

Form: 1F-3317

Ballygeary^t⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 111| D

Winless since June 2024 and fared no better after another breathing operation when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (22/1) 47 days ago, carrying head awkwardly and never dangerous. Plenty to prove.

Form: 4-39667

North Parade⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 105| D

Without a win in nearly 2 years, inadequate test when fourth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (11/1) 53 days ago, making bad mistakes at fifth and 3 out before keeping on late without threatening. Poor jumping makes him a risky proposition.

Form: 847-844

Forecasts

Tormund Giantsbane (2/1), Woodland Park (9/4), Baratablet (7/1), Into The Park (8/1), Captain Butler (8/1), Bertie's Ballet (12/1), North Parade (20/1), Kingston Narcissus (20/1), Ballygeary (33/1)

Preference is for TORMUND GIANTSBANE, who wasn't suited by the way the race developed when down the field in a Sandown Grade 2 in December and Dan Skelton's charge can get back on the up now handicapping. His main danger may emerge from Captain Butler, who shaped encouragingly reverted to this sphere at Haydock recently and this step back up in trip should suit. Woodland Park has been knocking at the door this season and rounds off the shortlist.