Mary Roby Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 18.30s

Forever My Friend^b⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 128| CD

13/2

Much better over fences than hurdles he's won two further chases since he bounced back to form at Ffos Las in October of a plummeting mark. A career best effort in June over 2m4f at Stratford hasn't been followed up though underling his inconsistency.

Form: 14-3143

Orbasa^t¹¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

2/1

Has on occasions looked fairly useful over fences but despite two win in this sphere has never won a handicap and is looking difficult to win with. His last two runs both without blinkers have been very disappointing and he's now tried in cheekpieces again (worn once before).

Form: 23233-4

Alderbrook Lad³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 127| CD

11/4

Fantastic old campaigner who always goes well around here and built on a good comeback run at the track this year by winning his next run over C&D (had the run of the race). May have had his stamina stretched here last time and respected back over his optimum trip.

Form: 698-212

Brave Spartacus²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: G Boanas| OR: 126| D

5/1

Capable chaser/hurdler but hasn't won over fences July 2015 although that came in a good class race off a mark of 135. Clearly not as good as he was then (only win since off lower hurdles mark) but still running well enough to be considered here.

Form: U-43225

Munsaab^p³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt| OR: 121| C

15/2

Has two chasing wins to his name around this course (both over further) and only 1lb above his last winning mark. His last win here over 3m1f came after a break with cheekpieces back on but he's failed to fire in his last two starts here and that raises doubts.

Form: 318-165

Bon Chic^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: James Moffatt| OR: 121| D

8/1

The second runner from the yard she's yet to really convince over fences despite running a good race over C&D in July when she arguably ought to have won when conceding first run. Her last run though merely showed her inconsistency and that her jumping lacks scope.

Form: 5P9-U36

Swantykay⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 119

25/1

Took an age to open his chasing account finally doing so on his 15th attempt on his last run in Ireland for his previous yard. Proved easy to back at Perth for this stable on his debut for them but got no further than the first (unseated rider).

Form: 4F54-1U

Forecasts

Orbasa (2/1), Alderbrook Lad (11/4), Brave Spartacus (5/1), Forever My Friend (13/2), Munsaab (15/2), Bon Chic (8/1), Swantykay (25/1)

Paul Nicholls is a rare visitor to Cartmel and his Orbassa looks to be drinking in the last chance saloon here with a chase record that is hardly bet compelling and there are doubts about a few others also in the race. The Moffatt duo Bon Chic and Munsaab both need to bounce back from poor runs although that’s possible for the local trainer who has a good record here. The trainer/jockey combination of Peter and Sean Bowen have taken this race for the past two years and did so in 2015 with Forever My Friend who tries again here although this time around it’s off a 20lb higher mark. Alderbrook Lad is always respected around here but a chance is taken with BRAVE SPARTACUS under a fully professional handling for the first time in ages around a course that may well suit his front-running style.