MansionBet's Faller Insurance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 15.78s

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Selected odds by:

Mick Maestro⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 135| D

7/2

Much improved this term for new yard, readily landing 2m Doncaster handicap in November and cast aside a fall when advancing his form again at Catterick, winning readily. 12 lb rise perfectly fair.

Form: 43/31F1

Gipsy De Choisel⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

7/2

Won 16-runner 4-y-o event at Angers on hurdling debut, travelling strongly and quickening to lead near finish. Similar form when third in introductory event at Ascot and he retains potential.

Form: 13

Miss Heritage¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: L Wadham| OR: 132

5/1

Dual winner last term and gained reward for a string of consistent efforts at Warwick 18 days ago. Likeable sort, but 6 lb rise calls for more.

Form: 492221

Dream Du Grand Val³⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 131

100/1

Looked firmly on the up for Nicky Henderson when dual hurdle scorer in early 2019 but not seen out since pulled up on chase debut at Exeter 13 months ago. Lots to prove for new yard on comeback.

Form: 61180/P-

Langer Dan¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 131WS

9/1

Useful juvenile last term, listed winner at Wetherby and fine sixth in Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival. Below par both starts this season, but big chance if bouncing back following a wind op.

Form: 1226-95

Ajero^t⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 129WS

7/2

Half-brother to connections' very smart chaser Charbel. Progressive form in novice hurdles, supplementing his Ludlow success at Kempton in November. Has had a wind up ahead of this handicap debut.

Form: 3-211

Gortroe Joe²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128| C

5/1

Made it 2-4 for new yard this season with career-best effort at this venue (18.6f) in December. Up 8 lb and another sound effort when third at Taunton.

Form: 9-01F13

Non-Runners

Blakeney Point¹⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Ajero (7/2), Mick Maestro (7/2), Gipsy De Choisel (7/2), Miss Heritage (5/1), Gortroe Joe (5/1), Langer Dan (9/1), Blakeney Point (10/1), Dream Du Grand Val (100/1)

MICK MAESTRO turned a Catterick handicap into a one-sided affair in December, recording a good time into the bargain. On that evidence, he can shrug off a 12 lb rise, perhaps at the chief expense of Ajero and Gipsy de Choisel in what should be an informative contest.