Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 100| CD

Capitalised on a falling mark when winning 9-runner C&D event (heavy) in January. Backed that up when third at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) 18 days later and should give a good account for a stable seeking a third successive win in this contest.

Form: 2-46513

She's Notjoeking¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Conner McCann⁽⁷⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 100| D

3/1

Returned to form out of the blue to snap a losing run in 2m Newcastle handicap (good to soft) under Conner McCann 13 days ago. Should remain very competitive off 6 lb higher if showing up in similar form.

Form: P-44341

Nakassama^t1¹³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 97

7/2

Landed a gamble over hurdles at Hexham (2½m) last June. Also ran a cracker on the Flat the following month but struggled in a couple of chases in the autumn. Tongue tied for the first time back from a break. One to monitor closely in the betting.

Form: 3P01-69

The Coffey Boy²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 94| C

9/2

Built on 17f Sedgefield second when edging out the reopposing Velvet Vulcan over 20.5f here (heavy) 24 days ago. Should continue to go the right way.

Form: 867021

Velvet Vulcan^h,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 84| BF| D

5/1

Keen goer who has gone close in pair of 20.5f handicap hurdles here this year, beaten a head by The Coffey Boy latterly. Probably found race coming too soon when well-held fourth at Musselburgh only 5 days later. The hood goes back on, and his run style suggests the drop back to 2m may help.

Form: 464224

Belvedere Bhoy³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 77

9/2

Sent off favourite when finishing mid-field in a Hexham bumper. Hasn't offered much in 4 starts over hurdles since but low-grade handicaps provide him with a more realistic chance. Worth a second look in the betting.

Form: 68F87

Bray Dale^p1²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Dominic Hislop⁽⁷⁾| T: C Bissett| OR: 72| D

40/1

Third in this race 12 months ago but hasn't come close to reproducing that form in his 4 outings this season. First-time cheekpieces need to spark a revival.

Form: 53-05P8

Forecasts

Platin Moon (5/2), She's Notjoeking (11/4), The Coffey Boy (7/2), Velvet Vulcan (5/1), Nakassama (8/1), Belvedere Bhoy (12/1), Bray Dale (50/1)

Although VELVET VULCAN has gone close to winning a pair of 20.5f course handicaps this year his keen-going ways suggest this shorter trip could suit even better. The Coffey Boy edged out the selection over that longer distance last month and is second choice ahead of Platin Moon, whose stable is bidding for a hat-trick of wins in this race.