John Ellis Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 5m 18.05s

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Selected odds by:

Lumi Plugin²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107| BF

11/4

Runner-up both starts in maiden hurdles and has bettered that form in handicap hurdles, latest when not enjoying run of the race at this venue, third of 6 in handicap hurdle (25f, soft), having been well-backed. Seems versatile regards ground/trip and should run another big race back in distance.

Form: 62-2023

Smugglers Haven¹¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss L Bradstock⁽⁷⁾| T: Sara Bradstock| OR: 106| CD

7/2

Point winner showed improved form when successful on handicap debut at Hereford (19.7f, good) last month, having hung left. Followed up that victory when much straighter over C&D in November, making-all. Lightly-raced sort may do better still and is much respected in her bid for a hat-trick.

Form: 1/3P-411

Two To Tango³⁴

5/2

Had placed on 6 of 8 hurdles starts and looked capable of running of winning a race at this level before a disappointing effort at Taunton last month when fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle (19f, soft). Has since had wind surgery and merits consideration if back on song.

Form: 533325

Brave Jen^p,t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: Cynthia Woods| OR: 103

80/1

Didn't need to improve to double tally in 5-runner handicap hurdle before being sold out of Tom Ellis' yard for £5,000. Subsequently struggled in a stronger race on stable debut when last of 8 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (15.8f) and has a bit prove now stepping back up in trip.

Form: 231218

Roman Roy^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 101

7/1

Placed in bumpers and although his best effort in novice hurdles came at this venue, his finishing effort was found to be lacking when turned over at short odds in a 4-runner race. Ran even worse at Taunton last time (following second breathing operation) and others have a more convincing profile.

Form: 25-325

Gloire D'Athon^p,t⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 100

22/1

Prolific early in his chasing career (winning 5 of his first 6 starts) but has lost his way over fences and fared no better when pulled-up back over hurdles in December. Difficult to fancy on most recent evidence.

Form: 7-564PP

A Tickatickatiming²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 96| C

5/1

Course winner who comes here in good nick, third of 6 in 2m handicap here last month, showing she can still be a force in this sphere. Back up in trip and weighted to go well off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 123-483

Non-Runners

Baddesley⁵³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: C Gordon J: Freddie Gordon

Forecasts

Two To Tango (5/2), Lumi Plugin (11/4), Smugglers Haven (7/2), A Tickatickatiming (5/1), Roman Roy (7/1), Gloire D'Athon (22/1), Baddesley (25/1), Brave Jen (80/1)

There's a couple in here who need to be ridden positively, and that could set the race up for the more patiently handled LUMI PLUGIN who has been knocking on the door of victory. Course-winner A Tickatickatiming merits plenty respect from her falling handicap mark, while Smugglers Haven remains of interest in her bid for a hat-trick. On first run since wind surgery, Two To Tango is also a player if bouncing back from a disappointing effort.