Live Racing Streaming At CopyBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 5m 59.64s

Escapologist¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: J J Burke| T: James Owen| OR: 111

10/3

Made a winning stable/hurdling debut at Fakenham last season. Back from 8 months off with a couple of solid efforts, fifth of 15 in Wincanton handicap 18 days ago. In the picture.

Form: 24-9445

Grangeclare Diego^t⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Barlow| OR: 110| CD

11/1

Took this 12 months ago. Let down by his jumping sent chasing after 10 months off when pulled up at Wetherby (3m) in December. Can't be discounted though quickly reverted to hurdling after a break.

Form: P/3331-P

Rosie Baloo²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr Thomas Easterby⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 109

7/2

Winning bumper performer who got off the mark at the fourth attempt in Sedgefield novice in January. Took another step forward on her handicap bow when fifth of 12 here last month. Very much one to consider stepping up in trip.

Form: 133215

Top Guy²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 106

7/1

Irish point winner who opened his Rules account in 3m novice handicap at Aintree in December. Posted a respectable tenth of 18 in 3m handicap hurdle at Ascot last month. In the mix.

Form: 502120

Aire Spray^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 103| CD

15/8

Better than ever since the cheekpieces went on and he landed 9-runner handicap over C&D 26 days ago, overcoming a last-flight blunder. Merits serious consideration despite 4 lb rise with headgear retained.

Form: 35-6421

Seahouses²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 91| CD

8/1

Reliable type who resumed winning ways over C&D in November. Turned in a rare poor effort when sixth to Aire Spray over C&D last time but he's the sort to bounce back.

Form: 4-31536

Non-Runners

Keppel Queen²⁷

Weight: 12-1| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Aire Spray (15/8), Keppel Queen (2/1), Escapologist (10/3), Rosie Baloo (7/2), Top Guy (7/1), Seahouses (8/1), Grangeclare Diego (11/1)

None of these can be ruled out but AIRE SPRAY has advanced his form since the cheekpieces went on and is taken to defy a 4 lb rise and follow up a recent C&D success having done well after a bad error at the last. Rosie Baloo heads the list of dangers with this step up in trip promising to suit, although last year's winner Grangeclare Diego and Carlisle scorer Keppel Queen are also well in the mix.