Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 139y | 5 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 111| CD

Winless since June 2024 and fared no better after another breathing operation when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle here (2m2f) 67 days ago, carrying his head awkwardly. Has plenty to prove.

Form: 4-39667

Grangeclare Diego^t⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J R Barlow| OR: 110| C

Winning pointer and he got off the mark over hurdles in 23f handicap here last March. Let down by his jumping sent chasing after 10 months off when pulled up at Wetherby (3m) in December though so needs to take a big a step forward.

Form: P/3331-P

Jukebox King^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 110

Jukebox Jury gelding who (tongue tied) has shown promise when fourth in a pair of 2m4f novice hurdles this season, latterly over C&D 30 days ago. This Irish points winner looks to have more to offer now going into handicaps. Interesting.

Form: 1-44

Ukantango^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 110

Off 6 months and capitalised on a reduced mark in 6-runner handicap hurdle at Hereford (16.2f, soft) 36 days ago. Still not taken lightly back up 2 lb here.

Form: 3-52441

Mandarb^h⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 107

Fair ex-French Flat winner who was much improved on his handicap hurdle debut when scoring readily at Doncaster (19.4f, good to soft) in November. Hiked up 12 lb but he looks capable of better still. Very much one to consider.

Form: 65-71

Forecasts

Mandarb (6/4), Ukantango (2/1), Jukebox King (3/1), Grangeclare Diego (12/1), Ballygeary (20/1)

Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls' Irish points winner JUKEBOX KING appeals as a likely improver now stepping into handicap company after a couple of promising fourth placings in novice company so gets the nod over Micky Hammond's impressive Doncaster scorer Mandarb. Ukantango is also weighted to go well on the back of a resurgent Hereford victory.