Mortal Bunny Rum Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 4f | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ned Fox| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 105

Successful sole start in Irish points and having shown ability to finish fourth at Market Rasen (solid form) and Huntingdon on qualifying runs, he took a step forward switched to handicap company when third of 9 at Hereford (2m, good) 34 days ago. Longer trip here will suit and he's shortlisted.

Form: 1/443-

Lemon Leaf²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Hutsby⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 104| CD

2/1

Third in 17f novice at Aintree on hurdle debut last May. Disappointing next 2 starts after returning from 10 months off but was right back on track to make a winning handicap debut in a 10-runner C&D event 4 weeks ago (albeit reduced jumping test). Open to progress from a 10 lb higher mark.

Form: 84/30P1-

Lion Of The Desert^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Joe Anderson| T: G Harris| OR: 102| CD

7/2

Front-runner who's been seen to good effect in winning back-to-back C&D handicaps last month, knuckling down well to get back up after a rather typical final-flight error 15 days ago. Considered from 5 lb higher, but career best is likely required if he's to complete the hat-trick.

Form: 93491-1

October Hill^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁶⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 101

6/1

Holds strong claims on her best form (third in Taunton maiden in January that has produced plenty of winners) but down the field in handicaps on her next 2 starts and hasn't capitalised on the return to maiden company on her last 2 outings. Now 7 lb lower than on last handicap start.

Form: 434823-

Aslukgoes^p1¹⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Shane Fenelon| T: M Bowen| OR: 100

10/1

Struck at second time of asking over hurdles back from a long absence at Worcester (2m, good) in July for Ben Brookhouse. Little promise in 2 handicaps at around 3m for this yard in the autumn, though, and returns from a break in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 21P476-

Juggernaut^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Robottom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 100| BF| C

9/2

Failed to win last season but plenty of placed efforts, having no problem with the step up to 3¼m when second under this rider at Stratford latest. Should give another good account.

Form: 234322-

Forecasts

Lemon Leaf (2/1), Lion Of The Desert (3/1), Juggernaut (4/1), October Hill (6/1), Red Rubio (7/1), Aslukgoes (12/1)

RED RUBIO is still unexposed and his handicap debut third at Market Rasen suggested he'll be suited by this longer trip, so he gets the verdict over Lemon Leaf, who scored with plenty up his sleeve in a race where several hurdles were omitted over C&D 4 weeks ago. Lion of The Desert is also respected bidding for a C&D hat-trick.