Happy Retirement Maurice & Anne Barnes Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Point runner-up who has run pretty well in defeat on his first two handicap starts (2m4f/2m5f, soft/good to soft); drops back down in grade today and he's high on the list.

Very lightly raced 8yo who was 25-1 runner-up on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last January; soundly beaten at Ayr this February on sole run since but may have needed that outing; not discounted.

Won on stable debut over C&D (good) last August and good second at Kelso (2m5f, good) next time; tailed off over C&D in October before respectable fourth of 13 at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in December; the closer the ground is to being good, the better; could be a contender after a break.

Close third over hurdles at Wetherby (3m, soft) in January then won over fences at Catterick (3m1f, soft); ran pretty well when 5l third of three in Sedgefield chase (3m2f, good) last time; arrives in good heart and there can be optimism that she'll be fine now back down in trip; possible player.

Beaten about 13l when seventh of nine on handicap debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in February; however, this 5yo showed promise previously and his pedigree hints that this step up in trip will be a plus.