18:10 Southwell
Monday 26 June 2017
All18:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10
bookies.com Free Bets Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 7f 209y | Good | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 6m 31.1s
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Horse A-Z
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Consistent sort over fences but has yet to win over then despite some decent efforts although his last one wasn't one of them when disappointing at Fontwell (jumped right). Would have a decent chance if he reproduced his penultimate run but that's hardly a given.
Yet to win over fences in three starts but has shown some reasonable form although he always looks rather laboured on his efforts. Travelled a bit better last time out and matched the form of his hurdling win when second at Uttoxeter off today's mark.
Long time since this one last troubled the scorers with the last win coming back in 2015 at Ludlow (his only chasing win). Mixed hurdles and chasing since then and fell on his last chase start (close up at the time) but last two hurdles starts have been uninspiring and hard to know what to expect here.
Does have three chase wins to his name but hardly the most reliable and looked a fortunate win last time out at Bangor when looking held and catching the idling and recalcitrant leaders in the last 100 yards. Usually takes a while to warm to his task and hardly the most fluent of travellers and not certain to be in the same form this time around.
Recent non-runner at Stratford he remains a maiden over fences from nine attempts (has won in point-to-points). Had very little chance at the weights last time but started at single figures in the three starts prior to that and equally failed to impress.
Returned to form out of the blue last year over C&D to score off a much reduced mark over hurdles and has mixed hurdling and chasing since then (lower in the weights over fences). Yet to score over fences (runner-up four times) but has run creditably of late and must have a chance in a poor race.
Has a good record over C&D and has appeared to be far more tractable of late although still runs in snatches (usual trait) but does find for pressure. Threw away a race at Bangor last time (beaten by Cruising Bye) when proving very idle in the closing stages. Despite his recent renaissance he's still in the main not one to rely on although it wouldn't surprise to see him in the mix here at the end of proceedings.
Form figures read like an unfortunate scrabble rack with the one bright spot the win at Stratford off a 9lb lower mark in April. Has won twice at this course (once over fences at a slightly longer trip) when he was in a far better spell of form in 2015 and still one to be wary of despite that Stratford win and failed to back that up at Kelso.
Course winner over fences over 2m but his last win came back in 2015 and the losing run is starting to extend itself. Has run some reasonable races in the losing run but often promises more than he delivers having travelled well and there must be a question mark over his stamina for this trip.
Poor handicap chaser who has been seen plenty of times around here but has yet to even been placed and looks to be really struggling for form at present. Hard to see him taking a hand here especially with his propensity to make mistakes.
Forecasts
The Last Bridge (4/1), High Counsel (11/2), Shaiyzar (11/2), Celtic Tune (11/2), Edward Elgar (6/1), King's Song (10/1), Larkhall (14/1), Cruising Bye (16/1), Sgt Bull Berry (16/1), Next Exit (28/1)
Hardly the most appealing betting medium with plenty of these having big question marks against them in terms of ability and temperament. Celtic Tune would have to bounce back from his poor run last time and The Last Bridge and Cruising Bye whilst being capable at this lowly level are hardly the most reliable given their previous antics. Larkhall is likely to travel well but his finishing effort and stamina for this trip leave doubts about him and in the end Edward Elgar and SHAIYZAR look the safest options. The former looks a little better over fences while the latter has run well enough over fences of late and can make use ofhis lower chase mark here.
- Shaiyzar
- Edward Elgar
- The Last Bridge
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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