Oakmere Homes Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 5m 16.0s

Morning Royalty³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 137| CD

9/4

One of three in this for a local yard who do well with their runners here and this one has a 4113 record around here over fences. Took advantage of a lower hurdles mark to win here last time but now finds himself back off a 3lb higher mark than his last chase win at Kelso. Has to be respected given his record here but this mark does make life tough for him returning to fences.

Form: 63321-1

Lofgren^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 131

11/4

Unless Welsh Bard has broken his shocking run here with handicap chasers the trainer of this one will be looking for his in-form chaser to break that run. His recent chase form reads well winning two small field contests but he didn't look suited by a test of speed last time and this increased trip may well suit him better.

Form: 75-2112

Alderbrook Lad³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 123| CD

4/1

Last win came in this two years ago. Always runs well around here although he's not the quite the force he was. Appeared to be returning to form here last time after some below par efforts off a break.

Form: 20698-2

Munsaab^p³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt| OR: 123| C

5/1

Withdrawn from a race on Friday, he's won his last two starts over fences (below par run over hurdles in between) with his last run resulting in a win over further here. Up 3lb now for that win he's now on his highest chase mark over fences but travels well and will be suited by the drying ground.

Form: 04318-1

Bon Chic^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: W T Kennedy| T: James Moffatt| OR: 122| D

12/1

The third and most lightly weighted of the three from this yard who has been consistent for the most part in her six runs over fences although she has only won once when with the Skelton barn. Yet to run over fences for this yard but her jumping has been sketchy in the past and that area of her game may not stand up to the test here.

Form: 1P5P9-U

Ashcott Boy²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121

8/1

Yet to run here but with the majority of his wins coming left-handed he shouldn't be hindered by the track. Best recent run came at Aintree on his penultimate start and on past form he should be capable off this mark although his recent record is a rather mixed one.

Form: 8864-24

Forecasts

Morning Royalty (9/4), Lofgren (11/4), Alderbrook Lad (4/1), Munsaab (5/1), Ashcott Boy (8/1), Bon Chic (12/1)

Jimmy Moffatt does well with his runners here at his local track and he dominates the field here with 50% of the runners. Of his trio Morning Royalty looks the best although if the ground continues to dry Munsaab would be very interesting. Alderbrook Lad always has to be respected around here on what has always been his favourite course but despite his poor record with his handicap chasers here LOFGREN gets the vote for Don McCain. He’s progressing well over fences and ran well enough last time out when the trip tested him and this longer trip should suit him far better.