Robert Howell Handicap Hurdle

Signed off for Dan Skelton with two wins last summer (about 2m6f); ran well for a long way on stable debut at Newcastle in November but pulled up at Chepstow three weeks later, both at about 3m; not proven over this far and absent 131 days but she's won twice after breaks of about three months; trainer had a winner nine days ago.

Good ground for all seven of his races; won in small fields for a maiden (here) and a novice hurdle; ran creditably in 3m/2m7f handicaps on last two outings, seemingly needing some respite from the handicapper, who's not made much of a reaction, but this field may offer him a better chance.

1-8 over hurdles, up in trip when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December; with two major backward steps since, a lot seemingly depends on his subsequent wind surgery and today's first tongue-tie.

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

Both wins were at Huntingdon in winter 2024-25; ran well at Cheltenham (2m) in October but has had a bleak time of it since until something of an upturn at Chepstow (extended 2m3f) two weeks ago; needs to build on that and there was some encouragement last time for stepping up in trip.