David Hewston Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:23 | Winning time: 5m 33.1s

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Selected odds by:

Shantou Express¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 128

15/8

6/4, resumed winning ways in 4-runner handicap hurdle at Stratford (26.4f, good) 12 days ago. Not taken lightly despite 6 lb rise.

Form: 35P0-91

Hell Red^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123

7/2

Enjoyed a highly-productive spell in chases last summer and made it 5 wins from 7 starts over fences when successful at Fontwell (21.6f) in April. Below-par fourth at Plumpton returned to hurdling in first-time cheekpieces last time so more is needed.

Form: 41121-4

Scarpia^t1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 122

5/2

Good second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (25f, good to firm, 9/2) 23 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. Up 3 lb but he's in the mix.

Form: 0/P349-2

Butler's Brief⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Ralph| OR: 120| CD

11/2

C&D winner. 18/1, eighth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, good to soft) 49 days ago so needs to bounce back.

Form: 2F16P8-

Polish³⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 118

15/2

Out of form when last seen out for John Gallagher, ninth of 10 in handicap at Ffos Las (16f, good). Off 11 months but now back with former yard off a handy-looking mark. Interesting to see what the market makes of him.

Form: 160466/

Forecasts

Shantou Express (15/8), Scarpia (5/2), Hell Red (7/2), Butler's Brief (11/2), Polish (15/2)

POLISH returns from an absence now back with Fergal O'Brien off a good-looking mark so could be worth chancing. Scarpia is feared most on the back of his good Huntingdon second, with Stratford scorer Shantou Express also in the mix in a trappy handicap.