owl100

Much better over CD on heavy ground the last twice following big drop in the weights. Decent 3rd behind well weighted Classic Maestro in February before taking advantage of a drop into this grade last time. The second that day had won his previous run, and won agaion next time, and the pair were well clear of the third, so it was a fair effort for the level. He's up 7lb, but remains at class 5 level, and that mark would still be very lenient on his best French form.

Quite a few possible improvers on handicap debut here but going to chance Baghdad Central. He won for this jockey off it at Carlisle last April and didn't run too badly when fading late on on soft ground at Doncaster. Has a bit of ground to make up on My Friend Sean on that run but the better ground would seem preferable and he's 1lb below his winning mark.

Good hurdling form around this time last year, winning by 5l at Hereford in March off 103 before finishing a good second in a Cheltenham 0-135 off 107, a race which worked out well with the winner landing the Swinton next time up 5lb. Samtara was pulled up in May and hasn't reached that level in three runs since wind surgery this winter. Now down the weights to 98 though and dropped in grade into a class 5 for the first time since his last win (241 in C5 handicap hurdles). Not matched hurdles form over fences in 4 goes so far but this looks a bit easier than the other chases he's contested.

Good course record (2311 over hurdles). Returns here for the first time since winning over 16f on soft in November 2022 off 113. Back hurdling the last twice and better at Newcastle last time when 3rd off 107, splitting some quite well handicapped rivals. Dropped 1lb since and now 7lb lower than for the last win, and the return here could help.

Unbeaten at Hexham with 2 wins from 2 runs here on soft ground including on seasonal return off 103 in October. Again ran well at Kelso the following month when a close 3rd off 106. Not at that same level the last twice but didn't stay over 26f at Carlisle in a good race won by the subsequent Eider winner. Back down to 1lb above the winning mark (3lb considering differing jockey claims), drops back down into a class 5 for the first time since then (record in class 5 handicaps is 3 wins from 3 attempts) and is probably better at this shorter trip.

Consistent mare and got off the mark at Ffos Las last month. That came on heavy ground off a mark of 72. She had Queen Of Steel back in third that day and the race has produced a couple of winners. Queen Of Steel reversed form last time but the race wasn't really run to suit. My Granny Lily remains on 77 as for last time and if she runs her usual race under suitable conditions she'd hace an each way chance again.

Kilta certainly looked a very well handicapped horse at Southwell last time and an 8lb rise could be very fair, but he faces better opposition here. Largy Shark was disappointing at Ayr last time but won a couple of novices last season and his handicap debut at Navan on return was promising, 6th in a big field off 115 and it worked out reasonably well. Off 113 today and an each way chance if back to that type of form under similar ground conditions.