Invest Southwest Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 6.45s

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Selected odds by:

Fergall^p⁹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 134| D

16/1

Last hurdles win came back in 2014 although he has run with credit on a few occasions since most notably in the 2017 Galway Hurdle (finished 7th). Only two run since that start and didn't really shape with any immediate promise when last seen.

Form: 43/F70-8

Beltor⁶²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens| OR: 125| D

5/1

Grade 2 hurdle winner whose most recent win came on the AW over 2m over two years ago although he's not been seen much in either sphere since then. Returns now from a long break with the handicapper giving him a chance; track/trip to suit.

Form: 056373/

Gwalia¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118| CD

7/4

Three runner-up efforts in bumpers preceded two placed efforts over hurdles which got him a handicap mark. Duly went and scored on his debut in that sphere over C&D (given a good ride) and even off a 9lb higher mark he will remain of interest.

Form: 222-341

Percy Street^p²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 113| BF| CD

5/4

Showed some useful form on the Flat (won a handicap off 95) and that makes him well handicapped here although his record of 1-14 over hurdles may well sum him up better. Did nothing wrong recently at Leicester when 2nd and a bold bid again expected.

Form: 804-342

Thahab Ifraj¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 112

16/1

Surprise winner at Wincanton (fit from the Flat) with his usual headgear left off a 3lb lower mark (well placed in a muddling contest). Only 4th of five last time out although shaped a little better than that (trip stretched him); back to 2m here.

Form: 429814

Global Thrill^p¹⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 107| D

20/1

In good form at the end of 2017 and after some disappointments on ground that was too testing bounced back to form in May. Only seen once since then he should be fine on this surface although this grade may just find him out.

Form: 1307-14

Non-Runners

Admiral's Sunset²⁹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: D Weston J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Percy Street (5/4), Gwalia (7/4), Admiral's Sunset (4/1), Beltor (5/1), Thahab Ifraj (16/1), Fergall (16/1), Global Thrill (20/1)

If he were to come back to the sort of form that he showed earlier in his hurdles career then Beltor who has been given a chance by the handicapper would be of interest but he’s been off a long time and his fitness has to be taken on trust. Percy Street should be on the premises making a quick return to action after taking the runner-up slot at Leicester to a progressive sort with Admiral’s Sunset sure to find a return to handicaps a more suitable test. GWALIA doesn’t have many miles on the clock though and even off a 9lb higher mark may well be able to follow up his C&D win of 17 days ago when he looked to have more to give.