quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:34 | Winning time: 5m 23.59s

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Benign Dictator^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| C

6/4

Better than ever when returning from a 6-month break to double his hurdle tally in 21f Warwick handicap. Respectable fourth at Chepstow (3m, heavy) since and, winner of a maiden hurdle on his latest visit here last February, he's one to consider. Yard also saddles Wolfspear.

Form: 137-314

Go Steady^p,t²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| D

6/1

Dual winner of handicap chases last season and though below par in 3 starts over the larger obstacles this time round, he went close back hurdling over C&D in November. Reproduction of that effort would give him a fighting chance.

Form: 12-7245

Easy To Follow⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 116| CD

4/1

Made the frame all 4 starts in points and though safely held when third on Rules debut in Sedgefield bumper, she's since won both starts over hurdles, here and at Fontwell (both at around 2½m under testing conditions). Likeable type but more will be needed on this handicap debut.

Form: 242-311

Sacre Pierre^b1,t1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| C

33/1

Leicester winner on reappearance last season but has offered little in 3 subsequent starts, including on his return this time round at Haydock. Now tried in blinkers.

Form: 16/18P-6

Wolfspear⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Oliver Boyden⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 109| BF| D

9/4

Won a Perth handicap in May 2022 and made light of a 16-month absence when producing a career best to double his hurdles tally in an 18-runner handicap at Exeter (18.5f, soft) in October. Lost no caste in defeat when runner-up at Market Rasen since and he's a key player.

Form: 33/17-12

Toronet^h1⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 107

33/1

Winner of a French claiming hurdle last February (subsequently claimed from Julien Phelippon for €19,999) but he hasn't fired in 2 starts for present connections. Hood applied.

Form: 5261-74

Non-Runners

Knowwhentoholdem¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: Anthony Charlton J: Bradley Harris

Forecasts

Benign Dictator (6/4), Wolfspear (9/4), Easy To Follow (4/1), Go Steady (6/1), Knowwhentoholdem (8/1), Toronet (33/1), Sacre Pierre (33/1)

Olly Murphy holds a strong hand here with both WOLFSPEAR and Benign Dictator holding strong claims. Marginal preference is for the former, who was a winner of his sole previous start under amateur rider Oliver Boyden at Exeter and he still has low mileage. If Go Steady matches the form of his close call over this C&D three starts back he will be a threat.