The races are displayed in chronological order:

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2.33 Harvest Of Hope PK Foodbank Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

• Distance: 2m½f
• Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
  1. Wandering Ego (282 Total)
  2. Eternal Echo (273 Total)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Horse	Recent Form Summary	Supplied Comments
Wandering Ego	Delivered on earlier promise when making all to win a good-ground Wetherby bumper by 8 lengths in March, his third start under rules.	Looks a good hurdling prospect for the season ahead and needs to be taken very seriously.
Eternal Echo	Placed in Listed bumper in March before readily beating 14 rivals on hurdling debut at Cork (2m, soft) in April. Proved his wellbeing when placed on recent Flat debut.	Ought to be hard to beat. Is likely to encounter faster ground here than on his hurdling debut.

Spotlight Verdict

Bumper winners Wandering Ego and Spectacularsunrise (preferred in that order) can probably win over hurdles sooner rather than later but ETERNAL ECHO was placed in a Listed bumper before creating a good impression on his hurdling debut in April, and he sets a pretty good standard.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses/Concerns	Suitability
Wandering Ego	Proven bumper winner. High potential for the novice hurdling season.	Lacks experience over hurdles compared to Eternal Echo.	Proven on good ground in a bumper.
Eternal Echo	Sets a very good standard (hurdling debut winner and Listed bumper form). Has demonstrated fitness recently on the Flat.	Hurdling win was on soft ground, and he is likely to face faster conditions today.	Strong contender (“hard to beat”) regardless of ground concern.

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3.08 Lord Mansfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle

• Distance: 2m4½f
• Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
  1. Moonbow (317 Total)
  2. Summergrounds (295 Total)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Horse	Recent Form Summary	Supplied Comments
Moonbow	Low-mileage 5yo who recently fended off Summergrounds to make a winning handicap debut over C&D (2m4f, good). Is now 2-4 over hurdles.	Went up 6lb for that narrow success but further progress is possible. Expected to feature again.
Summergrounds	Posted a career-best performance when a close second to Moonbow over C&D (good) in August, following a three-month break. Ended last season with two 2m4f wins.	Late-maturing 9yo. Likely contender again today.

Spotlight Verdict

There may still be more to come from HOLESHOT, who ended last season with two wins and a very respectable fifth. The topweight has fitness to prove after a 171-day absence but Tim Vaughan has sent him a long way to run here and booked Sean Bowen. Moonbow and Summergrounds (preferred in that order) fought out a finish over C&D last month and can both feature again.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses/Concerns	Suitability
Moonbow	C&D winner who is capable of further progress. Has proven form against the main rival here (Summergrounds).	Carrying a 6lb penalty for a narrow victory.	Highly suited, proven C&D winner on good ground.
Summergrounds	Ran a career best when runner-up recently. Proven C&D experience and form.	Finished just behind Moonbow last time.	Highly suited, consistent form over this trip and track.

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3.43 Bet With The Dewhurst Ring Handicap Hurdle

• Distance: 2m½f
• Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
  1. Johnny Ringo (284 Total)
  2. Karton Plein (281 Total)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Horse	Recent Form Summary	Supplied Comments
Johnny Ringo	Won juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) on New Year’s Day. Subsequently made the frame in a Listed race and series final over that C&D (both good to soft).	Has fitness to prove after a six-month absence but could still have more improvement to come over hurdles.
Karton Plein	Made all in a modest Southwell maiden (2m, good to soft) in February, delivering on earlier promise.	Faces a much tougher assignment in this handicap. Has plenty of scope for progress.

Spotlight Verdict

A few of these are unexposed and/or tricky to weigh up but recent C&D runner-up PURE GOLD might still be improving and looks pretty solid. He gets the verdict ahead of Whispering Hopes, who was placed twice at Sligo last month. Johnny Ringo developed into a fairly useful juvenile hurdler last season and is next on the list.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses/Concerns	Suitability
Johnny Ringo	Developed into a useful juvenile hurdler. Proven form on soft and good to soft ground over a similar distance.	Returning from a six-month layoff; fitness is a concern.	Best form demonstrated on softer ground.
Karton Plein	Potential for improvement. Winner on good to soft ground.	Absence since February. Stepping up significantly in grade into a handicap.	Good to soft winner, but viability hinges on progress in this class.

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4.15 Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow David Whitaker Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

• Distance: 3m
• Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
  1. Statuario (317 Total)
  2. Mars Harper (277 Total)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Horse	Recent Form Summary	Supplied Comments
Statuario	Five-time course winner, most recently winning the Perth Gold Cup over today’s trip in June (good ground). Did not fire in Market Rasen’s Summer Plate in July.	This race is much less competitive than his last start, and the return to this track is an obvious plus.
Mars Harper	Kept on for a very creditable fourth off today’s mark at Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, good to soft; stays further) in March. Safely held in valuable races on last three appearances.	Comes here with something to prove. Sure to appreciate this ease in grade.

Spotlight Verdict

This can go to multiple course winner STATUARIO (nap), who can probably be excused his defeat in a competitive race last time and is now only 1lb higher than when landing the Perth Gold Cup in June. Whistle Stop Tour ended last season on a low note but he took well to chasing last term and may still have potential. Mars Harper will find this easier than his recent assignments and is next on the list.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses/Concerns	Suitability
Statuario	Exceptional course record (five-time winner, including Gold Cup). Only 1lb higher than his last course success. Expected to reverse disappointing recent form by returning to Perth.	Recent performance in the Summer Plate was poor.	Nap selection; highly suited to the course, distance, and expected conditions (won on good ground).
Mars Harper	Proven ability to stay the 3m trip. Enjoys a significant ease in grade. Ran well off this current mark at Cheltenham.	Recent form in valuable races has been unconvincing.	Expected to perform better given the drop in class.

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4.50 Thank You To Kinneston Owners Handicap Chase

• Distance: 2m4½f
• Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
  1. Pescatorius (246 Total)
  2. Everyday Champagne (240 Total)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Horse	Recent Form Summary	Supplied Comments
Pescatorius	Won at Catterick (1m7f, good) last December. Made Sean Bowen work very hard before finishing a never-nearer third at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month.	Not beaten far on any of three starts for Olly Murphy this season. Probably needs to travel with much greater zest in first-time blinkers here.
Everyday Champagne	Not very reliable nowadays. Ran a big race in defeat here (3m, good; visor refitted) 16 days ago.	Should cope with today’s drop back in trip. Remains on a good mark after recent 1lb nudge; major player if in right mood again.

Spotlight Verdict

Everyday Champagne drops in grade after a very good second in 0-120 company here this month and will hard to beat at this level if on another going day. However, low-mileage mare REFLECTION OF YOU was a good third over C&D on her chasing debut in May, despite making bad jumping errors at the last two fences, and gets the vote in the hope she is ready to roll after a 132-day break.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses/Concerns	Suitability
Pescatorius	Consistent placed efforts this season. First-time blinkers applied may help travel more keenly.	Required significant urging last time.	Proven on good ground (winner) and soft ground (placed).
Everyday Champagne	Recent run was excellent (2nd in a higher grade). Favourable mark after only a 1lb penalty.	Reliability issues (“not very reliable nowadays”).	Handles the track and distance, provided he is “on a going day”.

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5.25 Mrs C Is 60 Novices Limited Handicap Hurdle

• Distance: 3m½f
• Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
  1. Stiletto (274 Total)
  2. Anamanda (251 Total)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Horse	Recent Form Summary	Supplied Comments
Stiletto	Won by 9 lengths at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) last week, very well suited by the move back up in trip. Now 2-6 for Sophie Leech.	Commands respect under 7lb penalty.
Anamanda	0-12 over hurdles. Creditable third in a series final at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in March and ran a very close second at Kelso (2m5f, good) in April.	Big player if still in similar form after five-month break.

Spotlight Verdict

Stiletto powered clear on the run-in at Worcester nine days ago and is respected under his 7lb penalty but an interesting alternative to consider is ZEEZEE, who moves up in trip again after last month’s very encouraging stable/handicap debut over 2m4f and should still have potential. Anamanda and Burgundy Man also have possibilities.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses/Concerns	Suitability
Stiletto	Decisive winner over a staying trip recently (9L). Highly suited to the longer distance. Sean Bowen retained.	Must cope with a 7lb penalty and a quick turnaround (9 days).	Proven on good to soft ground and excels over staying distances.
Anamanda	Showed high consistency over staying trips earlier in the year. Has high place claims at this level.	Is a maiden over hurdles (0-12). Returning from a five-month absence.	Proven form on good to soft and good ground over 2m5f to 3m.