David And Carol Pugh Memorial Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 3f 29y | 5 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: F O'Brien| OR: 108| D

Maiden hurdle winner at Exeter last autumn and good third in Ascot novice next start. Showed little encouragement both starts over fences in May and needs to spark a revival returning to hurdling.

Form: 3713-P6

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Ask A Sainte⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 107| BF

Showed improved form when landing handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in June and then showed ability on chasing debut at Market Rasen next time. Possibly amiss back hurdling at Uttoxeter last time and can resume progress if any potential issues are now behind him.

Form: 45-412P

No More Bolero^v²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: James Owen| OR: 107

Has made an excellent start for this yard, winning his first 2 starts this summer at Worcester and Market Rasen. Good second of 10 in handicap hurdle at latter course (19f, good to firm) 22 days ago. This looks a weaker race and he has to be taken seriously.

Form: 413-112

So Proud¹⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103

Well supported when making a winning start in a Haydock bumper for Don Cantillon in May 2025 and has since shown ability in 3 starts over hurdles. Steps up in trip on handicap debut and no surprise to see further progress.

Form: 15-43

Motazzen^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 102| CD

Enhanced a fine course record with a career-best success in March. Failed to hit the same heights since, including having a spin on the Flat, and is easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 351-843

Forecasts

No More Bolero (11/8), So Proud (9/4), Ask A Sainte (5/1), Start Again (8/1), Motazzen (8/1)

NO MORE BOLERO sometimes takes some stoking but can quickly resume winning ways in what looks a weaker race than he contested last time. Handicap debutant So Proud can step up again and rates the biggest danger to the selection.