Read Harry Cobden's Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 5.1s

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Sammy's Guarantee^h,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 111

13/2

Much improved (after wind operation) when taking 14-runner novice hurdle at Doncaster (16.6f, soft) 46 days ago, pushed out. Worth another crack at this longer trip and must enter calculations on handicap debut.

Form: 2-7691

In d'Or⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 110| BF

8/1

€140,000 purchase from France who ran below best when third on yard debut at Fontwell 12 months ago. Well supported but shaped similarly as on stable debut 11 months prior when fifth in novice at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft) in December and now heads down the handicap route.

Form: 23/3-5

Believe Jack^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 109| C

14/1

Back to winning ways in first-time cheekpieces when leading late on in Market Rasen selling handicap (16.5f) on Boxing Day. Didn't go with same zest in claiming company at Leicester (15.5f) last month and bounce back required now stepping up in trip.

Form: 14/P415

Hallwood^t⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M G Rimell| OR: 109

17/2

Different proposition on the back of a wind op when making second hurdles start a winning one in maiden company at Carlisle a year ago. Overfaced final start but offered little when pulled up on return/handicap debut at Lingfield (19.5f) in December.

Form: 8/71P-P

Glengolly²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 99

17/2

Showed some promise on first of 2 starts in bumpers and offered more than previously over hurdles (on qualifying run) granted the run of the race when fourth of 7 in Sandown novice (2m) 3 weeks ago. Suspicion he's got more to offer now handicapping and market may guide.

Form: 50-P64

One Eye On Vegas^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 97| D

5/6

Third sole start in bumpers and left previous hurdles exploits in his wake when making second start in handicaps a winning one at Leicester (20.5f) 25 days ago, ridden 2 out and kept up to work. Player with a repeat.

Form: 3/67751

Owl Of Athens³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 90

11/1

Court Cave gelding who offered definite signs of promise when fifth of qualifying run in novice company at Chepstow (2m, heavy) 32 days ago. Return to further a definite plus now handicapping and he's on a potentially lenient mark. Interesting.

Form: 785

Forecasts

One Eye On Vegas (5/6), Sammy's Guarantee (13/2), In d'Or (8/1), Hallwood (17/2), Glengolly (17/2), Owl Of Athens (11/1), Believe Jack (14/1)

OWL OF ATHENS showed definite signs of ability on 2 of his 3 starts in novice company and with this step back up in trip rating a plus now handicapping, Evan Williams' 5-y-o makes a good deal of appeal. Sammy's Guarantee and One Eye On Vegas head up the dangers, along with In d'Or.