Dr Robert Davies 50th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:37 | Winning time: 6m 38.4s

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Selected odds by:

The Bull Mccabe^t1⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| C

11/2

Winning Irish pointer who scored twice over hurdles here last term. Let down by his attitude switched to fences on last 2 starts and mark looks a tough one on handicap bow back in this sphere.

Form: 1421-32

Ballon Onabudget^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 126| D

7/2

Best effort yet armed with first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (23.3f) last month. landing a 7-runner handicap in pretty decisive fashion. 3 lb rise very fair ineeded and he's a big player.

Form: 846-801

Wbee³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 120| CD

9/4

Progressing well since sent handicapping, completing the hat-trick over C&D last month. Hard to quibble with a 5 lb rise and another bold show anticipated from this 6-y-o.

Form: 2321-11

Dr Des^p¹¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 118| C

12/1

Useful hurdler in 2017/18, but winless over fences and has failed to land much of a blow in a trio of hunter chases since the turn of the year. Hard to know what to expect of him back in this sphere.

Form: 73/354-P

Tel'art^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 115| CD

2/1

Snapped a losing run upped to this trip over C&D last month, seeing off a couple of previous winners in the process. Not an obvious type to follow up, but remains on a fair mark and couldn't rule out.

Form: 98786-1

Forecasts

Tel'art (2/1), Wbee (9/4), Ballon Onabudget (7/2), The Bull Mccabe (11/2), Dr Des (12/1)

It's easy enough to make cases for each of the three last-time-out winners, namely BALLON ONABUDGET, Wbee and Tel'Art. The first-named responded well to the addition of cheekpieces at Uttoxeter and, raised just 3 lb, he gets the nod in the hope that the headgear works equally well at the second time of asking. Wbee is bidding for the four-timer and is second choice.