16:00 Hereford

Saturday 11 March 2017

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

188bet.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 4m 14.4s

Sirabad¹⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134

7/4

Front-runner that was in good form when last seen, following up his Wincanton win two starts back with another solid effort at Newbury. Goes well fresh so absence not a concern, but may want ground quicker still. Not out of it despite that.

Form: 1/P2374-

Plaisir D'Amour⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

5/2

Won last two on left-handed tracks despite jumping right, and stayed on well after getting outpaced at Newbury last time, so track may not be ideal. That said, clearly going the right way and despite new high mark, has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 4-P1131

Somchine^h²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel Sansom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 130

14/1

Winner at Wincanton in December but has found life hard from new mark since, never really in the race on last two starts. Drops back in grade here and handicapper relents a little, but still plenty to prove now.

Form: 3-32123

Pearls Legend^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: J L Spearing| OR: 130

7/1

Grand servant to the yard that often runs well in the big handicaps without winning, and another solid effort at Chepstow latest, finishing third to two nicely handicapped types. Drops in grade and handicapper gives him a chance as well.

Form: 315254-

Canicallyouback¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 128

25/1

Has run with great consistency over the past year, and hadn't been asked for effort when falling at Chepstow latest. Drying ground would help his cause, and although handicapper not cutting him any slack, likely to run his race again.

Form: 24FP3-4

Dream Bolt²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: D A Rees| OR: 122

8/1

Looked one on the upgrade until latest start at Sandown, where an early mistake put him on the back foot and he could never get in it. If showing earlier winning form, wouldn't be out of this, and may get this run to suit his hold-up style.

Form: 11/1265-

Allow Dallow^p²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 116

16/1

Often travels well in his races but finds little for pressure, as was the case again at Fontwell last time although stuck to it better than has been the case. That form still not good enough to win this, however, and needs improvement.

Form: 3-22273

Lord Ben⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-3| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 111

11/1

Veteran who is on a terrific mark should he ever find his form again, and there were signs at Newbury latest (behind Plaisir D'Amour) that the fire still burns, but hasn't won since 2014 and this is a tough little race to break that sequence.

Form: 34232-3

Non-Runners

Rock On Rocky¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: M Sheppard J: Stan Sheppard

Forecasts

Sirabad (7/4), Plaisir D'Amour (5/2), Rock On Rocky (5/1), Pearls Legend (7/1), Dream Bolt (8/1), Lord Ben (11/1), Somchine (14/1), Allow Dallow (16/1), Canicallyouback (25/1)

You can make a case for almost everything here, but the handicapper is starting to give the evergreen PEARLS LEGEND a fair crack of the whip and he might be ready to strike after another solid effort last time. He tends to come good in the spring (was an excellent fifth in the Grand Annual from 8lb higher last season) and this looks his chance. With this tight track a worry for Plaisir D'Amour, it could be left to Dream Bolt to chase him home, with the consistent Canicallyouback taking the bronze.