Clarke Chase (Handicap) (For The Sir Stanley And Lady Clarke Challenge Trophy)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 4m 52.8s

Henryville^h,t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 153| D

4/1

Useful performer and winner of a Grade 2 handicap chase at Cheltenham (good) over 2m5f last month and followed up with victory at Newton Abbot (good) earlier this month. Carries top weight and likely to run well once more.

Form: P3981-1

Days Of Heaven^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| D

4/1

Winner of his last two starts including over an extended 2m3f at Stratford (good) earlier this month. Races off a career high mark of 148 today and interesting to see if he can repeat that effort.

Form: 0/1U51-1

Ballybolley^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143| BF| D

10/3

Finished third to Henryville at Newton Abbot (good) earlier this month. Had previously run out the impressive winner of a competitive handicap chase at Haydock (good) over 2m4f when making all last month. Likely to employ similar tactics once more.

Form: 2P341-3

A Little Magic^h,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 141| C

13/2

Successful in four of his last five starts including at Kempton (good) over 2m2f at the start of the month. Races off an 8lb higher mark today but remains open to progression and is an interesting runner in this contest for a yard with a 17% strike-rate recently (7/41).

Form: 91131-1

Ballynagour^h,t⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 141| D

4/1

Useful horse on his day and ended a run of three pulled up efforts when completing the course in 11th in the Grand National at Aintree (good-to-soft) last month. This trip looks more suitable and he has placed off higher marks in the past.

Form: 22PPP0-

Valadom^p,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr H Hunt⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 134| BF| C| D

16/1

Better known for his efforts over the Cross Country course at Cheltenham these days and well held over 2m7f in a novice hurdle at Worcester (soft) when odds-on favourite last time. Others make more appeal in this.

Form: P9240-4

Valseur Du Granval^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 127| BF

9/1

Recorded a double over fences in the autumn with the latest success coming off a 6lb lower mark at Chepstow (good) over 2m. Well beaten as favourite on his last two starts and others look more likely today.

Form: 211434-

Forecasts

Ballybolley (10/3), Days Of Heaven (4/1), Henryville (4/1), Ballynagour (4/1), A Little Magic (13/2), Valseur Du Granval (9/1), Valadom (16/1)

A LITTLE MAGIC has won his last two races including a Class 2 event at Kempton at the start of this month and with the forecast ground and today's trip both in his favour he can notch his fifth win in his last six starts. Henryville is chasing a hat-trick following wins at Cheltenham and Newton Abbot and he is taken to claim second at the expense of Ballybolley who made all to win at Haydock on his penultimate start and looks likely to try similar today.