Charles Clark Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Came good as a hurdler (sixth attempt) when asserting by 5l in a five-runner and four-finisher novice handicap over C&D (good) 13 days ago, having breezed into the lead before two out under Charlie Maggs; hot favourite Noble Blue unseated early in that race; up 6lb but probably has a good chance.

Chasing on last five starts has not really worked out; Taunton (2m3f) last February and Warwick (2m) last March saw him register a double over hurdles and he's back to his last winning mark for today's switch in codes but, after three non-completions at about 3m over fences, stamina also has to be proved.

Triple hurdle winner (2m2f-2m5f) in 2024 but she struggled in her final three runs last year (reportedly bled from the nose on chase debut final time) and did so again when returned to action 18 days ago; now 7lb below her peak mark.

Fell mid-race on chasing debut last month; better 18 days later on second attempt in that sphere (albeit last of three) and peak hurdles efforts make this look an attractive mark, but they were all at about 2m and this sort of trip is totally new under rules for this 2024 Irish 3m point winner.

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