Summerley Recruitment Handicap Hurdle

Had three starts for Nicky Henderson; comfortably held in two runs for current yard, the latest his handicap debut over 3m at Ludlow (good to soft; beaten about 8l); down only 2lb.

Went up a harsh 7lb for winning a thin race at Stratford (2m6f, good; first-time blinkers) and dropped out to be well beaten at Warwick (3m2f; stamina no excuse); still needs a second look when this isn't a strong race.

Won comfortably enough over fences at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) and was 13-8 to follow up off this mark when departing early here 11 days ago; effective hurdler and has less to prove than many in here; goes on any ground.

C&D winner in a first-time visor in March (good; 5lb lower) but beaten between 10l and 14l in three subsequent races, the last two over fences (cheekpieces/visor); should give his running, though improvement has come on good ground.

Overall strike-rate of 1-28 and the win came over fences; 0-18 over hurdles and has to bounce back from some shoddy efforts; in cheekpieces and a visor for the last two and now goes in blinkers.