Greatwood Handicap Hurdle: Runner-by-runner guide

1. OLD GUARD (Paul Nicholls/Lorcan Williams)

Smart hurdler who won this from 7 lb lower mark in 2015, and was third from 3 lb lower last year. As good as ever last term, wins including listed event at Kempton and National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (by one and a half lengths from Lil Rockerfeller). Two strong efforts this season, though passed up good opportunity when second to Nautical Nitwit in West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby last time.

2. VERDANA BLUE (Nicky Henderson/Jeremiah McGrath)

Impressed when winning listed event on reappearance (by seven lengths from Old Guard) at Kempton and took another step forward when oozing class and quickening clear to beat If The Cap Fits by two and a quarter lengths in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last weekend. Emphasis on speed suited there, and faces a different test here, but leading contender nonetheless under 5-lb penalty.

Verdana Blue is too good for her rivals in the @UnibetRacing Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) and is now 2-2 over obstacles this season.🏆 pic.twitter.com/XejVlJHc0v

— Wincanton Racecourse (@wincantonraces) November 10, 2018

3. MOHAAYED (Dan Skelton/Bridget Andrews)

Raced on worst of the ground when disappointing in this race 12 months ago, but continued progress thereafter, culminating in two and three-quarter lengths win in County Hurdle here at the Festival. Creditable fourth to Silver Streak in Welsh Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) at Ffos Las last time, shaping as if the run would put him right, and no surprise to see an improved effort here.

4. CHARLI PARCS (Nicky Henderson/Barry Geraghty)

No win on these shores since Kempton debut, but ran well on two occasions last term, including when second on reappearance at Newbury (fluffed lines at the last). Creditable three and three-quarter lengths fourth of 16 to Midnight Shadow in Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr when last seen in April, and no great surprise to see him start to fulfil his potential this term, still only a five-year-old after all.

5. WESTERN RYDER (Warren Greatrex/Richard Johnson)

Good bumper horse who translated that to hurdling last term, winning novices at Chepstow and here (by two lengths from Lalor) before finishing sixth to Summerville Boy in Supreme Novices' Hurdle, likely to have been fifth had he not been hampered and carried wide two out. Not in same form when fifth in 2½m Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree final start, but drop in trip here should suit and big effort expected from opening BHA mark of 145.

6. SILVER STREAK (Evan Williams/Adam Wedge)

Won Swinton Handicap at Haydock (by three quarters of a length from Chesterfield) in May and made light of five month absence when following up in Welsh Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) at Ffos Las last time (by three lengths from Le Prezien, asserting quickly run-in). Yet to flourish on track with very testing finish, but not one to rule out in current form despite 6 lb higher mark.

7. CAIUS MARCIUS (Nicky Richards/Brian Hughes)

Won at Perth in August and Market Rasen (listed event, by 11 lengths from Theclockisticking) in September. Creditable eight and three quarter lengths third to Fidux in listed event at Ascot last time, but handicapped to the hilt now and this looks much tougher.

8. MIDNIGHT SHADOW (Sue Smith/Danny Cook)

Sprang 25/1 surprise when making successful handicap debut in Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr (by one and a quarter lengths from Claimantakinforgan) in 2017/18, and ran at least as well on form when neck second to Innocent Touch in handicap at Wetherby last time. Unfashionable, but respected.

A brave effort from Midnight Shadow and Danny Cook to hold off all-comers in the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr

Results ▶️ https://t.co/7iJOPsvjqx pic.twitter.com/vLKq4rCLrY

— Racing UK (@racing_uk) April 21, 2018

9. LE PATRIOTE (Dr Richard Newland/Sam Twiston-Davies)

French recruit who has won two of four starts since being fitted with cheekpieces, confirming reappearance promise when winning seven-runner event at Ayr (by two lengths from Chti Balko) last time, typically travelling strongly and well on top at finish. Still of interest despite 6 lb rise.

10. IRISH ROE (Peter Atkinson/Henry Brooke)

Small mare who was one of the success stories of last season, winning mares' novices at Southwell and Cartmel, and two handicaps at Doncaster. Shaped as if better for run when two and a half lengths third to Lady Buttons in listed Mares' Hurdle at Wetherby last time. Likely to be closer to form here.

11. STORM RISING (Dr Richard Newland/Charlie Hammond)

Won two of final four starts for Denis Hogan, both in July, but taken form to new level since joining current yard, winning pair of handicaps (here and at Wetherby) from BHA mark of 123. Chunky 14 lb higher here in better race but not one to dismiss lightly.

12. NUBE NEGRA (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton)

Spanish Flat recruit who won juvenile at Market Rasen and novice at Doncaster in 2017/18, also shaping very well when four lengths third to Veneer of Charm in Fred Winter at the Festival. Not at best when 21 lengths fifth to We Have A Dream in Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree final start, but remains capable of better in big-field 2m handicaps such as this.

13. EQUUS AMADEUS (Tom Lacey/Tom Scudamore)

Proved better than ever when winning handicap at Wincanton (by half a length from Mick Thonic) last time, deserving credit for pegging back one who'd been left alone in front. 4 lb higher here.

14. BRIANSTORM (Venetia Williams/Gavin Sheehan)

Winning Irish pointer who showed fairly useful form in novice hurdles for Warren Greatrex last season, winning soft-ground events at Taunton and Sandown, both from the front. Pulled up when upped markedly in class for Mersey Novices' Hurdle final start. Sold for £46,000 in May.

15. MAD JACK MYTTON (Jonjo O'Neill/Aidan Coleman)

Mixed hurdling and chasing over last couple of years, winning handicap hurdle at Aintree in 2017/18 from BHA mark of 131. 1 lb lower here and caught the eye when good four and three quarter lengths fourth to Storm Rising in conditional event here last time. Stable in good form.

16. VADO FORTE (Tom Lacey/Robert Dunne)

Made good progress in early-2018, winning at Warwick (novice event), Taunton and Plumpton (by half a length from Mr Antolini). Shaped well when easy-to-back five and three quarter lengths third to Ballymoy at Chepstow last time, travelling well before fading, and demands of this race should suit.

17. DEYRANN DE CARJAC (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)

Lightly-raced five-year-old who showed fairly useful form in bumpers and ran to similar level over hurdles, winning maiden at Warwick (by 20 lengths from Sgroppino) in May. Good two lengths second to Pym in novice at Chepstow last time, trying to give 6 lb to useful rival. Handicap debut.

18. NOT THAT FUISSE (Dan Skelton/William Marshall)

Won maiden at Uttoxeter and didn't need to improve to win weak novice at Aintree in May. Well held after five months off at Chepstow in October, but showed benefit of recent run when four and a half lengths second to Seddon in novice at Stratford last time, pulling clear of rest. Big ask at this stage.

19. NIETZSCHE (Brian Ellison/Danny McMenamin)

Step back in right direction when sixth to Mister Universum at Warwick in May and ran well in first-time tongue strap when second on Flat (1½m) at Newmarket earlier this month. Well handicapped on old form, including when sixth in this race 12 months ago, and no surprise to see him go well at a price.

20. MAN OF PLENTY (Sophie Leech/Sean Houlihan)

Poor effort at Market Rasen on return in September, but quickly returned to form when five lengths fifth to Storm Rising in conditional event here last time. No win since September 2014, though.

Conclusion:

Ultra competitive as always. WESTERN RYDER strikes as being well treated based on his excellent effort in the Supreme over C&D in March and gets the nod but there are stacks of dangers, headed by County winner Mohaayed and the thriving Verdana Blue. Silver Streak is also much respected as he goes in search of a hat-trick valuable successes, while four-year-old Nuba Negra could go on again this term.