Love Lincolnshire Wolds Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:03 | Winning time: 4m 19.42s

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Selected odds by:

Celestial Magic²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R T Phillips| OR: 107

8/1

Performed with some credit after a long absence at Huntingdon last month, looking very much in need of the run; very well handicapped on best form and drying ground a plus; interesting.

Form: 464/2P-3

Torrid⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 107

9/2

Consistent, in the frame five of his last six starts but the flip side of that is that the handicapper has him where he wants him; conditions fine once more and has place chances, but may find others better handicapped.

Form: 22-3352

Playa Blanca⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 105

5/6

Had shown a bit of ability previously, so no great surprise that he got his head in front (well backed) at Warwick last time, winning with plenty in hand; on same mark here, and a very obvious chance of following up.

Form: 0-46501

Mamdood^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 102

10/1

Has a couple of wins on the Flat to his name, but no great strike rate; best effort over hurdles came on latest run at Catterick when staying on late for second; needs more here.

Form: 4842

Valseur Du Granval^b1,t²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 100

28/1

Would eat this lot for breakfast on some of his best form but it's been a tale of woe for some time now; it's possible a return to hurdles and likely better ground could spark improvement, but he is risky.

Form: 2P7P7P

Scrutinise^p⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 94

12/1

Won back-to-back handicaps in December but has found life a lot harder off his revised mark since; handicapper gives him more of a chance but unless there's plenty of rain around, might be the ground quick enough.

Form: 0-31184

Sweet Flora²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 83

9/1

Just a place to show for her nine efforts so far but she has a little ability and might pick up a moderate contest somewhere down the line; place chances here with conditions fine.

Form: 40P585

Non-Runners

Smashing Lass⁷⁷

Weight: 10-10| Age: 4

T: M E Sowersby J: Lorcan Murtagh

Forecasts

Playa Blanca (5/6), Torrid (9/2), Celestial Magic (8/1), Sweet Flora (9/1), Mamdood (10/1), Scrutinise (12/1), Smashing Lass (20/1), Valseur Du Granval (28/1)

If Valseur Du Granval ever recaptures anything like his best form he's going to win a race like this with ease, but he looks totally out of sorts with himself and can't be backed with any confidence. Playa Blanca looks the one to beat after his Warwick win and has every chance of following up, but if CELESTIAL MAGIC can take a step forward on his Huntingdon comeback he could prove a threat to all. He's on a very workable mark and is worth a bet. Torrid hits the frame with regularity and has every chance of doing so again here.