Davey Liddle 80th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 107| D

Bumper/hurdles winner who completed the set in heavy-ground Wetherby handicap chase in January 2025 and good efforts in defeat next 3 starts. Not seen over hurdles in 18 months and market may prove best guide on return.

Form: 212333-

Kelvin Forlonge⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 106| BF

Promise in bumpers and maiden/novice hurdles prior to taking a sizeable step forward on handicap debut when scoring at Ayr (3m) in December. Better form in defeat when third over same C&D the following month but very much looks as if stamina is his strong suit and drops in trip now.

Form: 54-5513

Milan Park^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ross Chapman| T: C Grant| OR: 103

Improved for the switch to handicapping when fourth at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Seemed stretched by step up to 3m at Doncaster next time but back on track dropped back in trip when third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (heavy, 14/1) 27 days ago. Respected.

Form: 3-24443

Gardener^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 98

Disappointing 2024/25 campaign for Olly Murphy but has shown he's back in better form for his new yard with a trio of third-placed efforts at Catterick in recent months, the latest coming 16 days ago. Interesting now racing from career-low mark.

Form: 5-U0333

Mornington Beach¹²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 97WS

Gave a fairly useful winner a scare in a 2m novice hurdle here in October. Shaped better than the result when pulled up over C&D on handicap debut when last seen following month, though she seemed wanting for stamina and might be better off going back over shorter trips.

Form: 1-5P72P

Redeeming Love^t1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 96

Cost £78,000 after finishing third in an Irish point but she's only shaped with minor promise under Rules so far, reportedly returning with a breathing issue at Market Rasen 3 weeks ago. Has tongue strap applied making handicap debut over longer trip and she is at least bred to be better than this.

Form: 37-667

Berwick Law^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: I Jardine| OR: 95

Out of a winning chaser and has very much looked one for the longer term in a bumper and maiden/novice hurdles. Makes handicap debut with longer trip likely to see her in a better light.

Form: 5785

Non-Runners

Rock Hurley²⁴

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: Theo Gillard

Forecasts

Kelvin Forlonge (11/4), Milan Park (10/3), Gardener (7/2), Micks Jet (5/1), Mornington Beach (10/1), Redeeming Love (12/1), Berwick Law (12/1), Rock Hurley (25/1)

GARDENER has been holding his form well since switching to Mike Sowersby's yard and he can take advantage of the drop in grade here. Milan Park is still low mileage in handicaps and is also shortlisted after a sound effort at Kelso, while Kelvin Forlonge arrives on an upward curve and would be of interest if proving as effective over this shorter trip.