JG Paxtons Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 7m 1.6s

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Selected odds by:

Multipede²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 89

7/1

Yet to make the frame in eleven starts. Steps up appreciably in trip with little evidence of stamina in the pedigree.

Form: 555-5

Nicki's Nipper^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 89

5/1

Winner here over 2m4f off a 12lb lower mark. Has been running consistently of late and, although up in the weights again, she has acquitted herself well off higher. Stamina is the question mark. The dam has produced stayers and the sire has not had anything go beyond 2m4f.

Form: 72231-P

Down Time^b,t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Kaine Wood⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 88

2/1

Beginning to look one paced now but has C&D form. Young rider on board has an excellent strike rate and headgear back on. Has solid claims of making the frame at least.

Form: 653266-

Eager To Know³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 87

15/2

Winning point-to-pointer appeared not to get this trip on soft ground in February and looked one paced over shorter last time. Worth another try at this distance on better ground and off a more attractive mark.

Form: 475754-

King Of The Dark¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 83

15/2

Best form has come over fences around here. Yet to prove he stays this far or wants ground as quick as this. Well handicapped based on his chase form and not easily dismissed with rider having such a good season.

Form: 175767-

Broadway Belle²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: C Grant| OR: 75

9/2

Has looked one paced and represents a yard that are just 2-59 since January. Showed some improvement under this rider last time and is now trying a significantly longer trip. No indications in her pedigree that she will get this far.

Form: 4/F8332-

Next Hight¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Dale Irving⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Haynes| OR: 68

11/1

Record of 1-33 and yet to make the frame in nine starts for current trainer. Appeared not to stay 3m on three previous attempts.

Form: 9/467PP

Non-Runners

Blue Cove²¹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 12

T: Miss L C Siddall J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Down Time (2/1), Broadway Belle (9/2), Nicki's Nipper (5/1), Multipede (7/1), Eager To Know (15/2), King Of The Dark (15/2), Blue Cove (10/1), Next Hight (11/1)

There are not many positives to take into this race and few are proven over the trip. Nicki's Nipper and Down Time bring the best recent form into this. The former is not guaranteed to get this far and, whilst expecting him to make the frame, it is hard to see Down Time crossing the line in front given his lack of pace. Blue Cove actually gets into the handicap proper this time and could run a solid race. EAGER TO KNOW is by a sire whose progeny stay and appreciate this ground. This will be the first time he has had conditions to suit under rules and he might be worth a punt at the forecast generous odds.