Clearance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 12.49s

Howth^t²⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126| CD

4/1

Fairly useful staying handicapper on the level who made a smooth transition to hurdling last season, winning 4 times (including twice over C&D). Returns with yard in form (first start for 8 months) and looks on a fair mark.

Form: 113114-

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Centara^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122| C

5/1

Bold-jumping front runner who made hay over fences last summer, with 4 of his 5 wins (all over 2m) coming at this course. Too free returning from 6 months off after another breathing operation in 21f handicap chase 4 weeks ago and back over hurdles off a much lower mark now.

Form: 1121P-6

American Land^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 118| CD

2/1

Hasn't always looked the most straightforward but has a fine strike rate in handicaps, his 5 wins including this race last year. Has returned with a couple of good runs at Chepstow, no match for a thriving one last time (2m), and set to go well again.

Form: 1/11442-

Morning Mayhem³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 112

4/1

Didn't achieve much for previous connections in Ireland but has won 3 times for Nick Scholfield over 2m. Ran well in a stronger race over 2½m at Fakenham last time, but won't be inconvenienced by return to shorter and one to consider.

Form: 31313-4

Arctic Voyage²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Reed| T: M Blake| OR: 112| CD

18/5

Has won both his completed starts for new yard this spring, not needing to improve as he followed up his Hereford maiden victory in C&D novice 3 weeks ago. More on his plate up against some solid handicappers now.

Form: 4P3P1-1

Forecasts

American Land (2/1), Arctic Voyage (18/5), Morning Mayhem (4/1), Howth (4/1), Centara (5/1)

MORNING MAYHEM has done well for Nick Scholfield and might not have finished his winning just yet judged by his fine effort in a hot race at Fakenham last month. He gets the vote over Centara, who is potentially thrown in off a significantly lower hurdles mark if coming on for his reappearance over fences here 4 weeks ago.