Vulcan Refractories Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 45.4s

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Selected odds by:

Jet Of Magic^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| CD

15/8

Developed into a fairly useful handicap hurdler for Paul Nicholls last season. Took it up another notch with a first-time tongue tie added to his cheekpieces when making a winning stable debut over C&D 4 weeks ago. Should remain competitive after a 5 lb rise.

Form: 223U4-1

Aramax^p,t⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 133

7/2

Winner of the Fred Winter at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival and gained a first hurdle success since then when comfortably seeing off 10 rivals at Cartmel (25f) in May. A 6 lb rise won't prevent another prominent showing if in similar form.

Form: 77732-1

Willaston^p,t⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 132

10/3

Progressive in the spring, winning competitive handicaps at Cheltenham (2½m) and Haydock (3m). Could still be on a workable mark if ready to roll after a break.

Form: 15F21-1

Alfa Mix^p⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: B Haslam| OR: 127

50/1

Dual hurdles scorer in Ireland in 2019 but winless since and pulled up in a hurdle/chase for this yard in the spring. Aramax has to be considered the stable first string unless the betting strongly hints otherwise.

Form: 3236PP-

Clear The Runway⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 125

18/1

Highly progressive hurdler/chaser in 2022 but something to prove after 3 disappointing efforts since returning to action. Remains to be seen whether a significant step up in trip helps.

Form: 116-P89

Polish²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120

5/1

Little impact in 4 starts on the Flat for John Gallagher in 2022 but, having rejoined former yard, he has shown plenty of ability remains when runner-up twice over 23f at Worcester this summer.

Form: 0466/22

Butler's Brief^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Ralph| OR: 120| CD

10/1

Back to form in first-time cheekpieces when landing a 5-runner event over C&D (heavy) 19 days ago, although he was aided by the runner-up making a hash of the last and was probably a bit fortunate. Put back up 5 lb.

Form: 16P8-51

Forecasts

Jet Of Magic (15/8), Willaston (10/3), Aramax (7/2), Polish (5/1), Butler's Brief (10/1), Clear The Runway (18/1), Alfa Mix (50/1)

POLISH bumped into an improver at Worcester last time and is taken to go one better off the same mark. Willaston was in cracking form in the spring and is second choice ahead of Cartmel-scorer Aramax.