Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 6m 6.12s

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Malago Rose^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 100| CD

5/2

Beaten a fair way on return/debut for new yard at Ludlow in November, but career-best on second start for Neil Mulholland, winning a 7-runner handicap hurdle over C&D (soft) 18 days ago, although flattered by the winning margin. 6 lb rise makes life tougher here.

Form: 34-1551

Our Pink Lady^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Owen| OR: 94

20/1

Disappointing start to this year when pulled up (went without tongue-tie) in a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (20.7f, soft) 17 days ago. Tongue-tie back on and dangerous to dismiss now back below latest winning mark, for in-form yard who have an outstanding record here (32% strike rate).

Form: 114-57P

Chancellorstown^b1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 89| BF

13/2

Showed improved form in cheekpieces when going down by a nose in 25f Plumpton handicap in November but below-par when fifth of 9 in a handicap hurdle at Fontwell (21.8f, soft) 40 days ago, not suited by drop in distance. Blinkers on for first time and good chance he can bounce back over this trip.

Form: 007-425

Awesome Foursome^t,v³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 88| BF

18/5

Bumper/hurdles winner who ran well when runner-up at Ludlow in May. Not in same form since, making mistakes tried over fences at this venue. Raced lazily but did plug on into third (of 7, Ffos Las, 20f) when back over hurdles latest. Might be more in his comfort zone now up in trip with visor on.

Form: 3-25443

Kadex^b,t⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: A E Jones| OR: 85

22/1

Fair sort at his best but has tumbled down the weights. Retains some ability, completed for the first time in 7 outings here in November, failing to see it out. Interesting contender back hurdling with blinkers/tongue-tie back on today, but clearly comes with some risks.

Form: PPF-PP5

Mersey Street²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 85

2/1

Second here in October and back to form tackling 3m for the first time when fourth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (soft) 23 days ago, ridden positively, headed final 50 yards, didn't quite get home. Sharper track and better ground may help him see out the trip today. One for the shortlist.

Form: 6942P4

De Vega's Warrior³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lily Pinchin| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 84

12/1

A frustrating maiden on Flat. Best run over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces (removed today) when third of 11 (20.5f, Southwell) on handicap debut last month. Lightly-raced in this sphere and not ruled out tackling a staying trip for the first time, especially as yard has hit form in recent weeks.

Form: 0533

Forecasts

Mersey Street (2/1), Malago Rose (5/2), Awesome Foursome (18/5), Chancellorstown (13/2), De Vega's Warrior (12/1), Our Pink Lady (20/1), Kadex (22/1)

A tricky opening race. MERSEY STREET finished second here in October and shaped well when not quite getting home on his first try over 3m (soft) last month, only headed in the final 50 yards having made the running. He should be able to see out this trip back on a sharper track and can take this under a positive ride. Kadex showed glimpses of his old ability last time and he'd be a big player if able to build on that, while Chancellorstown should be more at home back up in trip today.