Support The Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:34 | Winning time: 4m 17.6s

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Selected odds by:

Copper Cove^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Macey⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108

11/10

Bumper winner who improved when opening his hurdles account at the seventh attempt under Benjamin Macey at Fontwell (17.7f, heavy). This 7 lb higher mark looks manageable and, with similar conditions forecast, another bold show is on the cards.

Form: 667-721

Pickanumber²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 108| D

5/6

Gradual race-by-race progress in maiden hurdles for Peter Croke in Ireland last summer, and raised his game when landing a Catterick novice (15.7f, soft) on debut for new yard. Mark for this handicap debut doesn't look prohibitive and he looks set for a leading role.

Form: 04-0421

Schelem⁴⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 100

18/1

Winner of a juvenile event on debut in France back in September 2020 but didn't show much starting out for this yard at Ascot 2 years later (sent off at 80/1). Too soon to write him off and reasonable to expect better now handicapping but further 15-month absence is naturally a concern.

Form: 1/7-

Grooveur¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: D C O'Brien| OR: 90

80/1

Ludlow novice winner for Alastair Ralph in March 2021 but offered little when returning from a lengthy absence over this C&D for new yard 12 days ago.

Form: 7530P/6

Forecasts

Pickanumber (5/6), Copper Cove (11/10), Schelem (18/1), Grooveur (80/1)

The profiles of COPPER COVE and Pickanumber are not dissimilar and, unless Schelem leaves his British debut effort a long way behind back from a 15-month absence, it's likely that they will have the finish between them. There's not much in it, with marginal preference for Copper Cove, who has quickly struck up a good relationship with conditional Benjamin Macey and appears to be on an upward curve.