Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 5m 47.83s

Benign Dictator^b1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| D

10/1

All the better for belated comeback (off 22 months) when winning at Warwick on New Year's Eve, coming off the bridle a long way out before finding plenty. Failed to repeat that effort in 2 subsequent outings, though, and needs first-time blinkers to remotivate him.

Form: 42/0147

Lord Snootie⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 119

7/1

Promising sort in 2023/24 and looked the type capable of landing a top-end staying handicap on soft ground. Clearly hasn't been the easiest to train since, though, and will take a leap in faith to support him based on what he's shown in 2 starts since returning from 14 months off.

Form: P2/87-0P

Gentleman Bill^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Toby Wynne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 119| C

13/2

Bumper/dual 2m hurdles winner who made a good start over fences at Aintree in October before losing his way. Returns to hurdling on an attractive mark as a result and has a success at this track to his name. Upped in trip.

Form: 6-353F8

French Emperor¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 116| BF

11/2

Improved when starting season with back-to-back wins in handicap hurdles at Worcester and Cheltenham. Not kicked on since then, but remains less exposed than most of these and could figure if coping with step up in trip.

Form: 7-11738

Gwennie May Star³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 115| C

11/2

Made it 2 wins from first 3 starts for Olly Murphy in handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, soft) in January. Relatively unexposed as a stayer, but latest run was discouraging and called his temperament into question so he's best treated with an element of caution starting out for another new yard.

Form: 35141P

Karma Police²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 109

6/5

Bought for £105,000 after winning a point and he's showed plenty of promise when placed last 2 outings, including when runner-up to extremely well-treated winner in handicap hurdle at Newbury last time. Races from same mark here and looks the likeliest winner if seeing out the longer trip.

Form: 1/2-3632

Non-Runners

Pinot Rouge²³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: S Corbett J: Conor Rabbitt

Forecasts

Karma Police (6/5), French Emperor (11/2), Gwennie May Star (11/2), Gentleman Bill (13/2), Lord Snootie (7/1), Benign Dictator (10/1), Pinot Rouge (33/1)

KARMA POLICE chased home a well-treated winner last time and has fewer miles on the clock than most of these so looks the one to back upped in trip. French Emperor is another going up in distance and can't be ruled out, while Gentleman Bill needs keeping an eye on given the mark he returns to hurdling on.