C&D winner off a 4lb lowerk on good ground last October. Finished runner-up on three subsequent starts but out of form recently including when beaten 59L into second at Cartmel (good-to-soft) over fences recently.
Finished ¾L second in a six runner novice handicap hurdle at Kempton (good) over 2m5f last month. Tackles this trip for the first time today and interesting to see how he fares following a 5lb rise in the weights.
Successful on the Flat at Bath (soft) in June 2016 but remains a maiden over hurdles having finished runner-up five times including at Newton Abbot (good-to-firm) over an extended 2m5f last July. Well held on her hurdling return at Aintree (good) last month.
Failed to complete in previous five starts prior to finishing 14L fifth of 15 at newton Abbot over an extended 2m2f on good ground at the end of last month. Wears cheekpieces for the first time today.
Maiden after 29 starts and well held in first time cheekpieces (retained) at Uttoxeter (good-to-soft) over 2m4f last time out. Others make more appeal in this.
Out of form since winning a handicap chase over 2m5f at Fontwell (good) in October 2015. Handicap mark falling as a result but hard to recommend at present.
Non-Runners
2
Solix32
Weight: 11-12| Age: 11
T: Ian Williams J: T J O'Brien
NR
5
Western Storm51
Weight: 11-7| Age: 5
T: R T Phillips J: Ian Popham
NR
Forecasts
Be My Sea (13/8), Princess Roania (11/4), Shantou Tiger (7/2), Arkadios (7/1), Western Storm (8/1), Star Of Namibia (9/1), Solix (12/1), Tribal Dance (66/1)
WESTERN STORM can make a winning handicap debut here following a career best fourth at Kempton last time. The selection is taken to get the better of Be My Sea who finished runner-up at the same venue last month while Princess Roania can claim third for a yard who have a 27% strike-rate in recent weeks (3/11).