Friends & Family Remembering Norman Sharpe Handicap Hurdle

Shaped well following a breathing operation when runner-up on handicap bow at Ascot in March. Left behind his comeback in the Summer Hurdle when winning with plenty in hand at Newton Abbot (17f) last time. Potentially useful 4-y-o looks capable of defying a rise in grade here.

Lost his way for the Willie Mullins yard after completing a cross-code hat-trick in listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in November. Little sign of a revival in 3 starts for current yard, either, finishing well beaten in refitted tongue strap at Cartmel latest.

Going the right way under front-running tactics for present yard. Probably should have made it 3 wins from 5 this year in a small-field novice at Market Rasen last time, just failing under a more conservative ride. Could well be more to come on just his second handicap start for Tom Lacey.

Useful Flat performer who doubled his hurdles tally under a good ride from this claimer in a tactical race at Perth (good to firm) last time. Clearly well equipped for small-field handicaps under these conditions, and a 7-lb rise hardly looks insurmountable in the context of his Flat form.

Has made a positive start for current yard over fences having not looked 100% last year. Enhanced his record fresh with success at Market Rasen prior to sticking to his task well when 1½-length second at Stratford latest. Probably falls short in bid to exploit 10 lb lower hurdle mark, though.