Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 45.0s

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Selected odds by:

Whiskeywealth¹⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

11/1

Useful chaser at his best but out of sorts over fences last season. Took a step back in the right direction on final start for Terence O'Brien when midfield in a Punchestown handicap hurdle (19.3f) in April. Claims on best of his hurdles form but market should guide expectations on stable debut.

Form: 0/5P5P0-

Bluegrass^p,t¹⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 122| DWS

5/2

Well-positioned when second at Doncaster in March but that form has worked out well and he proved better than ever when landing a third success of the season at Fakenham (2m) later that month. Best forgiven subsequent Haydock run and should run well if ready to roll after another wind operation.

Form: 11P216-

Nowmelad²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 118| D

7/4

Made all in 2m maiden at Uttoxeter and repeated the feat in a Hereford novice last November. Struggled in handicaps, faring no better for a step up in trip on final start for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole. Back over 2m and remains to be seen if he can improve on first run for a new yard.

Form: 131249-

Forget The Way^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 113| D

13/8

Ran right up to his best when runner-up behind Goblet of Fire over this C&D last season. Not ideally placed and shaped as if still in form when finding less than looked likely in a Cartmel handicap (17f) in August. Has a good record at this course and ought to be much more competitive here.

Form: 6521-36

Non-Runners

Yes Indeed¹⁴⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: M Keighley J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Forget The Way (13/8), Nowmelad (7/4), Bluegrass (5/2), Yes Indeed (7/2), Whiskeywealth (11/1)

FORGET THE WAY has placed on three of his 4 starts over this C&D and having returned in good nick this season, he looks the most solid option with race fitness on his side. Bluegrass won three times last season and is respected if returning in similar form following another breathing operation, while Yes Indeed has won off a break previously and could be interesting if supported off an 8 lb lower hurdles mark.