Harcombe Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 6.72s

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Selected odds by:

Imperial Saint¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119

11/4

£40,000 purchase after an Irish point win. Followed up on 2m Ludlow hurdle debut for new yard in November and good efforts in defeat twice since, latterly on 2m Newbury handicap debut 16 days ago. Should go well up slightly in trip.

Form: 35-1123

Donnacha³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: N J Hawke| OR: 117| BF

2/1

Winner of Chepstow novice and Warwick handicap (both 2m, soft) this season. Only mid-field in last month's Betfair Hurdle but on track returned to calmer waters when second over 17f here last month. This likeable type should go well again.

Form: 123102

Mardoof^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 112

28/1

Dominant winner of a Taunton maiden (soft) last March but his 2 efforts in handicap hurdles this season have been very disappointing. Has a bit to prove all of a sudden.

Form: 3213-P9

King Of The Lake¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 110| BF

10/3

Fair maiden. Placed in both handicaps towards the end of 2023 (C&D first occasion) and respectable second in a 21.5f maiden here back from a break 19 days ago.

Form: 2-22322

Moorefields³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 108| CD

9/2

Built on debut promise when landing 16-runner C&D maiden hurdle (heavy) on New Year's Day. Beaten a fair way when third of 7 on his 17f course handicap debut last month and this return to further needs to help.

Form: 44-4133

Despereaux⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 107

14/1

Twice a winner last season. Below par so far this season (remote third at Ludlow latest) and others preferred despite a falling mark.

Form: 10-3573

Forecasts

Donnacha (2/1), Imperial Saint (11/4), King Of The Lake (10/3), Moorefields (9/2), Despereaux (14/1), Mardoof (28/1)

DONNACHA remains well treated and might be up to gaining a third win of a good season. Imperial Saint can continue his good start to his hurdle career and give Nigel Hawke's charge most to think about.