Racing TV Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 4m 17.23s

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Selected odds by:

Curious Times^p,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 121| D

13/2

Confirmed previous promise to belatedly get off the mark in handicap company at Perth (20.1f) in September. Poor efforts in more competitive events at Punchestown and Down Royal since, though.

Form: 8P3100

Gladiatorial^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: N C Kelly| OR: 121| D

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler who came close to opening his account over fences at Kelso in October. Not seen to best effect when down the field at Down Royal subsequently and now reverts to the smaller obstacles.

Form: 23FU29

Ice Coast^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁶⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 115

15/2

Showed fair form on both starts in France for D. Sourdeau De Beauregard, but shaped as if needing the run after 13 months off when eighth of 15 in maiden at Chepstow (2m) 25 days ago. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 32-8

Wor Verge^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: D B Hurst⁽⁸⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 115| CD

5/4

All the better for his reappearance when resuming winning ways here in October. Followed up with plenty in hand from a mark 5 lb higher later in the month and looks up to completing the hat-trick.

Form: 779-811

Malpas^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112| CD

6/1

Proved a disappointment sent chasing at Hexham 23 days ago but won 3 times at this venue last season, so can't be taken lightly back over hurdles.

Form: 42311-6

Applaus^p,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100| CD

7/2

Consistency not his strong suit but is down to a career-low mark and showed he retains some ability when runner-up to Wor Verge here (17.2f, heavy) 4 weeks ago. Ought to be thereabouts if turning up in similar form.

Form: 735-PP2

Forecasts

Wor Verge (5/4), Applaus (7/2), Malpas (6/1), Curious Times (13/2), Ice Coast (15/2), Gladiatorial (11/1)

WOR VERGE is in the form of his life at present and looks up to completing the hat-trick. Malpas made an underwhelming start to his chasing career at Hexham 23 days ago but warrants respect back over hurdles, especially as all his 3 wins last season came at this venue.