Vickers Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 4m 55.16s

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Selected odds by:

Rock The House¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Katy Price| OR: 99| CD

9/4

Opened account for current connections when getting on top close home over C&D (good) 12 days ago. In-and-out profile means that he's far from certain to back that up but, with recent winning form at a premium, he has to be feared up 3 lb.

Form: 7245-P1

Prison Break^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94| CD

10/3

Out of sorts since Hereford fourth in November and the addition of cheekpieces (retained) failed to spark a return to form at Uttoxeter last time. On the upside, he landed this race off a 4 lb higher mark 12 months ago, so the ability is certainly there if he is able to turn things around.

Form: 64P8P-5

Cumhacht^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 92

5/2

Just denied in bumper at Thurles for John Kiely last spring. Disappointing in that sphere for this yard but has shown ability all 3 starts over hurdles, including on recent handicap debut here (15.8f, good to firm), and possibilities if improving for this step up in trip.

Form: 97843-3

Twilight Prince¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 84

7/1

Regressive maiden on the Flat and there have been very few positives to take from his efforts in novice events here since switched to hurdles. Still, makes handicap debut in this sphere in a winnable race and it'll be worth noting if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 7-46

Strictlyasoldier²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 75

33/1

Offered little in a bumper/trio of maiden hurdles last year, and again went with little encouragement on last month's return/handicap debut at Plumpton.

Form: 9/876-P

Nowyouvebinandunit^p1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Simon Earle| OR: 71

12/1

Five-race maiden who wasn't completely disgraced from a long way out of the weights over C&D last month. There wasn't enough in that effort so suggest she will be up to winning this, though, unless the first-time cheekpieces work the oracle.

Form: U799-6

Agent Saonois^p,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 69

9/1

Won over hurdles at Uttoxeter last summer and ran to similar level when third in Taunton handicap chase in November. However, his efforts since returning from a break in April have lacked spark.

Form: 2U83P-8

Non-Runners

Alramz¹⁸²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Forecasts

Rock The House (9/4), Cumhacht (5/2), Prison Break (10/3), Twilight Prince (7/1), Alramz (8/1), Agent Saonois (9/1), Nowyouvebinandunit (12/1), Strictlyasoldier (33/1)

While PRISON BREAK clearly comes with risks attached on the back of a string of lifeless efforts, he's not in the minority in that respect and it could be worth taking a chance on Tim Vaughan's charge off a mark 4 lb lower than when winning this race last year. It wouldn't be a huge surprise were Twilight Prince to step up on his low-key novice form now pitched into a handicap and he is next on the list ahead of recent C&D winner Rock The House and Cumhacht.