Best Odds Guaranteed At bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 4m 2.05s

Blackwater Lilly^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: B Ellison| OR: 100| D

5/2

Bangor maiden hurdle winner who ran well with McMenamin taking over in the saddle when third of 7 in C&D handicap last week. That performance is supported by the timefigure and she seems likely to be thereabouts again.

Form: 233-143

William Yeats^t1⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Theo Gillard| T: S England| OR: 96| CD

11/4

Easily landed a small-field bumper here in November. Has yet to match that form over hurdles but was left with a lot to do at Wetherby on latest start and rates a likely improver now going handicapping in a first-time tongue strap for new stable (previously trained by Rebecca Menzies).

Form: 2-21563

Clean Getaway^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 86| CD

17/2

Showed the benefit of a recent run as he capitalised on a drop in the weights in 7-runner handicap chase (5/1) at this course (16.4f, good to soft) last week. Reverts to hurdling from same mark and has to be respected.

Form: 422451

Scots Poet^b,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 86| BF| CD

13/2

On a long losing run, but that's reflected in his mark, and he did well under the circumstances when third at Carlisle (17f) on his most recent outing, having raced keener than ideal. Remains one to bear in mind.

Form: 447333

Nevershedatear^h¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: R T Dunne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 81

2/1

Winning pointer who didn't cut much ice in 3 qualifying runs but showed first form under Rules fitted with a first-time hood when second at Bangor (19.6f) recently, albeit flattered by her proximity to the winner. Needs considering from same mark.

Form: 1-577U2

Non-Runners

King Sacre²²

Weight: 11-13| Age: 6

T: N J Hawke J: James Davies

Justlikefire⁴⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: J Candlish J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Nevershedatear (2/1), Blackwater Lilly (5/2), William Yeats (11/4), Justlikefire (6/1), Scots Poet (13/2), King Sacre (7/1), Clean Getaway (17/2)

A tightly-knit handicap in which cases can be made for just about all 7. Handicap debutant WILLIAM YEATS gets the nod, however. It's true he's yet to match his bumper form over hurdles but he was set a lot to do behind a pair of useful sorts at Wetherby on his most recent outing and is expected to take an appreciable step forward now entering handicap company for his new stable. Blackwater Lilly and Scots Poet head up the opposition.