6.20 2m. 7f. 16yds. 9 Declared. Chris & Louise Fairburn Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 ) of £10,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €5,446.00 2nd - €2,509.00 3rd - €1,254.00 4th - €628.00
Formscan - Narrowly touched off over 2m4f at Uttoxeter last month, HARDY BOY looks primed to go one better. Ben Pauling's charge was only beaten a nose on that occasion, shaping as if this extra yardage would suit, and a 2lb rise doesn't appear likely to be an issue. Last-time-out winner Royal Pretender also commands respect after a comfortable success over 2m6f at Stratford, but a 5lb hike makes life tougher, while Charles St completes the shortlist.