3.15 3m. 58yds. 9 Declared. Betfred Merry Christmas Handicap Hurdle (Class 3 ) of £13,000.00 3-y-o plus
1st - €6,865.00 2nd - €3,159.00 3rd - €1,580.00 4th - €790.00 5th - €394.00
Formscan - Spike Jones made a winning reappearance at Lingfield in first-time cheekpieces. Raised only 2lb, another bold showing looks likely, but MAGICAL KING is preferred in this grade. Stuart Edmunds' charge finished a respectable third in a competitive handicap at Aintree on his first outing since March, and this looks a decent opportunity to regain the winning thread. Supremely West shaped well at Hexham on his comeback and could also have a say.