Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 5m 19.46s

Saracen Beau²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 120

5/2

Made successful hurdles debut for Nicky Richards in November 2024 and ran well back with yard when third of 9 in Newcastle handicap 20 days ago. Can make his presence felt stepping back up in trip now.

Form: 3/1P3-23

Meatloaf⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

16/5

Yet to score this term but he's progressed with each of his three runs, posting a very good third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton in January. That form has been franked so he's a likely player nudged up 1 lb.

Form: 51/P-463

Joltin N Jiving^t1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

7/2

Irish point winner who also landed Carlisle novice last February. Got back on track when second on return/handicap bow at Kelso but well below par both runs since, latest at Catterick after a breathing operation. Tongue tie is added here.

Form: 218-255

Bitsnbuckles^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 112

12/1

Ended a losing run stretching back over two years in 9-runner handicap hurdle at Southwell last month. Up 7 lb but not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 42-4331

Yealand^p³³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 112| CD

11/2

Did well over fences last season, winning 3 times, and signed off for Jennie Candlish with a good second at Bangor in April. Needs to hit the ground running back hurdling for his new yard after 11 months off though.

Form: 231132-

Ballygeary^t⁷⁷

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

28/1

Winless since June 2024 and fared no better after another breathing operation when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. This course winner has plenty to prove.

Form: 4-39667

Shotgun Rider^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 108

5/1

Picked up for £155,000 after winning Irish point last spring. Had wind op before posting promising seconds in novice hurdles at Leicester and Market Rasen (tongue tied) either side of Christmas. Open to progress now going handicapping. Player.

Form: 122

Forecasts

Saracen Beau (5/2), Meatloaf (16/5), Joltin N Jiving (7/2), Shotgun Rider (5/1), Yealand (11/2), Bitsnbuckles (12/1), Ballygeary (28/1)

Irish points scorer SHOTGUN RIDER has shaped well when runner-up in a pair of novice hurdles and can go one better now starting out in handicaps off a lenient-looking mark. The progressive Meatloaf rates a big threat in his bid to get off the mark for the season, while Saracen Beau and Bitsnbuckles also need considering.