Howden Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 5m 20.1s

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Selected odds by:

Star Of Affinity^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Freddie Gingell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 115| D

9/2

Progressive over hurdles this season, winning three times, including career-best performance at Kempton earlier this month, travelled well and forged clear to score decisively. Up 9 lb for that but he's improving and has to be respected in his bid for a hat-trick.

Form: P12311

King Of The Lake^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 113| D

9/4

Capitalised on falling handicap mark after 8 weeks off when bolting up at Wincanton (21.3f, soft) 13 days ago, always travelling strongly and seemingly much improved for having undergone a second wind surgery. 11 lb makes life tougher but still a major player if arriving here in the same form.

Form: 27-8771

Pachacuti¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Bromley| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

12/1

Steadily got the hang of things over fences last season but has lost his way this year, pulling up on both starts (latest following a second wind operation). Reverts to hurdling with something to prove.

Form: 1-424PP

Colonial Empire³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Tristan Durrell| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 109

12/1

A three-time 2m winner in 2022/23. Reappearance after 14-months off suggests he still retains ability and handicapper has given him a chance now, racing from only 1 lb higher than his latest winning mark.

Form: 61/037-5

Bobby Socks^t1²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Lewis Saunders⁽⁶⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 108| BF

11/5

Successful in a brace of 2½m handicaps in 2023 and showed he retains plenty of ability following a 17-month absence, placing in two handicaps, latest when chasing home an unexposed/well-backed horse at Southwell following a second wind surgery (tongue tie added today). One for the shortlist.

Form: 6/411-32

Kalhandrion^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Freddie Mitchell| T: R Hobson| OR: 107

18/1

Has shown glimpses of ability in novice/maiden hurdles, latest wearing first-time tongue tie when creditable sixth of 14 in novice hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) 19 days ago. Shapes as though he will be better suited to handicaps and there could be more to come on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 5-54P6

French Symphony^v1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁶⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 106

15/2

Lightly-raced maiden wasn't seen to best effect facing a shorter trip (on the back of a wind operation) on his final qualifying run, but fared little better when back up in distance for handicap debut last month, sixth of 10 at Sandown (19.8f, soft). First-time visor needs to spark improvement.

Form: 35-3336

Non-Runners

In Limbo²⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 7

T: C J Down J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bobby Socks (11/5), King Of The Lake (9/4), Star Of Affinity (9/2), French Symphony (15/2), Pachacuti (12/1), Colonial Empire (12/1), In Limbo (16/1), Kalhandrion (18/1)

Following a second wind surgery, KING OF THE LAKE appeared better than ever when routing the opposition by 26 lengths at Wincanton and despite an 11 lb rise, he may be able to follow up that victory if in the same sort of form. Bobby Socks has performed creditably in both starts since a long absence and he remains of interest, while Star of Affinity is much respected given his upward trajectory.