David Whitaker Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 23.50s

Arctic Gold¹³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| D

8/11

Tough and hardy, and a five time winner over hurdles between 2m and 3m who is fully effective with cut, but lacks much chasing experience; unseated on debut and no match for Belami Des Pictons in a 3m novices contest at Warwick in February.

Form: U2033-7

Carrigdhoun^p,t¹⁷⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 129| D

9/1

Veteran, but a capable performer over fences when on song as he illustrated with back-to-back Carlisle staying successes on his return from a summer break in October 2016. Handles cut, but off since April and getting no younger.

Form: 12P516-

Ballyben¹⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 124

7/2

Has developed into a reasonable long distance handicapper granted some cut in the ground and demolished his rivals when successful from a 10lb lower mark over 3m2f at Carlisle in October 2016. Back from a break and capable from this mark if ready.

Form: 512207-

Urtheoneiwant^h,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 122| CD

9/2

Her overall career win ratio certainly isn't the strongest (2 from 43), but she's performed well enough at this track despite climbing the weights since winning a C&D novices handicap in July by 6L, and has the advantage of race fitness.

Form: 531352

Forecasts

Arctic Gold (8/11), Ballyben (7/2), Urtheoneiwant (9/2), Carrigdhoun (9/1)

A difficult race despite the small field with Urtheoneiwant having the advantage of race fitness over her three rivals. However, whilst the Elliott and Johnson partnership should always be feared, she doesn't look the most consistent mare overall and perhaps a couple of the others have more potential. Arctic Gold will almost certainly win his share of races over fences with time, but he lacks the experience of BALLYBEN. The Malcolm Jefferson trained nine-year-old proved himself to be a fair Northern staying handicap chaser in the latter half of 2016, and despite a quiet time this calendar year so far, could prove sharp enough to score back from a summer break on ground which should suit.