Can Hardy Boy make it third time lucky to end seconditis in Hereford's feature handicap chase?

With market leader Invincible Nao a non-runner due to a change in going to quicker ground on Thursday morning, this 3m1f handicap chase has opened up for the eight runners that remain. 

The new favourite is Hardy Boy, who is being punished for his consistency as he keeps edging up the weights without winning. The seven-year-old is 4lb higher than the first of his two runner-up efforts at Taunton where he was beaten a neck on both occasions. All his form is on a sound surface. Langley Hundred, another who is prominent in the market, will also appreciate conditions drying out.

Paseo is one of the very few chasers in the thriving Venetia Williams yard who haven’t shown much this campaign. The decision to back him up just five days after he ran poorly at Taunton is interesting.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Ground latest

The track survived an inspection on Wednesday and the going was changed from soft, good to soft in places to good to soft, soft in places on Thursday morning.

 What they say

Ben Pauling, trainer of Hardy Boy
He’s Mister Consistent but he does seem to find one too good for him and a way of getting beat. I expect he'll run his usual race again and hopefully he can handle the ground.

Evan Williams, trainer of Honey I’m Good
She’s high enough in the weights for winning a couple of bad races in the summer and she may have to come down a bit in the handicap if she's to be competitive.

Tom George, trainer of Inflexible
He didn’t jump very well at Ffos Las last time when he was a bit deliberate so hopefully he can put in a better round this time and be competitive in an open race.

Philip Hobbs, joint-trainer of Langley Hundred
Soft ground won’t be ideal for him but it’s soft everywhere at the moment and we're happy to be racing. He’s a spring horse really but if he handles the ground he would have an each-way chance.

Tony Charlton, trainer of Len Brennan
He's had a long time off but hopefully this will set him up for running in veterans' races in the spring.
Reporting by David Milnes

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