Port Of Blyth Handicap Hurdle

Endured a fruitless spell handicapping during the winter, although was runner-up at Sedgefield (2m5f, good to soft) from a mark of 107 in January. Put together back-to-back win in quick succession in novices' company just lately and a 13lb rise has followed for this return to handicapping. Claimer now up and can go well.

Has showed up well on his first start for this yard in October at Carlisle (2m, good) from 6lb higher, but things went awry in the winter, until he got it together again at Stratford last time (2m3½f, good), when picking up some money. Handicapper now giving him a chance and with jockey's claim he could be a leading player back over hurdles.

Yet to win over obstacles but ran well to be runner-up on three successive occasions on decent ground last spring. Trip would have been too short on his debut for this yard at Market Rasen last time and now back up to this distance he should be capable of going very close.

Both his wins have been here (2m, good), scoring in a handicap last May and adding a novices' contest to his CV in June. 10lb higher today than that handicap success and likely to need more assistance from the handicapper before winning again, though not totally dismissed given his record here.

Has made the frame 5-8 over hurdles without winning one and has proved frustrating to follow, his last two runs at Market Rasen being ample evidence of that. Trip and ground are fine for him but he is up 4lb for his latest ½L defeat and may again find one too good.

10lb out of the handicap and although he did make one of his rare appearances in the frame at this venue, his recent form makes him impossible to recommend today.