Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 18.23s

Cher Tara³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell| T: D Bourke| OR: 96| D

7/1

Has been with a couple of top yards but ran as well as she ever has done when third of 16 in handicap hurdle (25/1) at Newcastle on second start for this stable last month, doing best of those from off the pace in a steadily-run affair. Needs considering.

Form: 639-573

Snow Dragon¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Gregor Walkingshaw⁽¹⁰⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 89

10/3

Still a maiden but often there or thereabouts so one of the more likelier contenders.

Form: 46-3334

Beat The Retreat^v,t⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Dominic Hislop⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 87| CD

9/2

Not the most consistent but he won over this C&D this time last year and resumed winning ways at Ayr in December. Trip too far here since but others look better treated.

Form: 5-20810

National Question^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Thompson| T: A Nicol| OR: 83| C| D

11/2

Resumed winning ways at Sedgefield 3 weeks ago, grinding to the front late and having his head down at the right time under this rider. 3 lb rise may be enough to prevent the follow up.

Form: 4-51251

Velvet Vulcan^t⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Smith⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 81

5/4

Modest 2m Flat winner who only just failed at Ayr the last twice and should make another bold bid turned out quickly.

Form: 4-46422

Non-Runners

Gemini Man¹⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: I Jardine J: William Maggs

Gonnino⁵⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 7

T: Gary Rutherford J: Dylan Johnston

Forecasts

Velvet Vulcan (5/4), Snow Dragon (10/3), Beat The Retreat (9/2), National Question (11/2), Gemini Man (6/1), Cher Tara (7/1), Gonnino (15/2)

The thriving VELVET VULCAN has only just failed at Ayr the last twice so has obvious claims turned out quickly. Cher Tara ran a cracker on only her second start for this yard when third at Newcastle so rates the main threat ahead of Gonnino, who's worth another go at this longer distance.