15:45 Wetherby

Wednesday 18 October 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:4516:2016:5517:25

Bobby Renton Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 4m 57.71s

Ballotin^p1¹⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139

13/2

Prolific winner of 11 rules races in France, four of them over fences at up to 2m6f. Appears best with some cut underfoot, though has won on good. Not easy to assess his mark for this British debut, though the market should assist with expectations.

Form: 21550-3

Katgary^p⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 137

8/1

Sole success in handicap company over fences came at Perth last year from 8lb lower (2m4f, good to firm), though he has shown that he can compete from today's mark. Well held in his last two chases, so in need of a revival now back up in trip.

Form: 24-2434

Definite Future^b³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 137

12/1

Enjoyed a good time of things in the past 13 months, with four wins at 2m4f, all on good ground. Shorter trip probably accounted for him the last time and if back on song then he has a serious chance from this 2lb lower mark.

Form: 23-11P6

Straidnahanna¹⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 136

14/1

Has done all of his winning at 2m7½f or further, his latest being over 3m6f at Catterick in January. Unlikely to have the toe for this against specialists at this trip and probably also in the grip of the handicapper for the moment.

Form: 481P0P-

Delusionofgrandeur¹⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 135| C

3/1

It is no great surprise that Danny Cook forgoes the ride on his favourite, stablemate Straidnahanna, to partner this triple novices' chase winner (inc over 3m here). Should do better over further, but could still make them all go if ready.

Form: 414118-

Monbeg River²⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 128

4/1

Earned both his chase wins around two years ago at about 2m. Stayed this far when tried over C&D when last seen in January, goes well when fresh, acts on a sound surface and has to enter calculations from this mark.

Form: 2F/25B3-

After Hours^p²⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 120

11/4

0-7 over fences and frustrating for his followers after being second in his last three starts last season from 2m-3m. Seems to go on any ground, though arguably at his best with cut underfoot, but not ruled out on return from a seven month break.

Form: 227222-

Non-Runners

Gabrial The Great⁴²

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

After Hours (11/4), Delusionofgrandeur (3/1), Gabrial The Great (3/1), Monbeg River (4/1), Ballotin (13/2), Katgary (8/1), Definite Future (12/1), Straidnahanna (14/1)

The traditional feature on this card has been won by both Sue Smith and Philip Hobbs in the past decade, though this time the representatives of both are taken on with DEFINITE FUTURE, who is taken to return to form now back at this trip and on better ground. This year's Hobbs runner Ballotin, is a more experienced chaser than the majority here and it would be no surprise if he turned out to be good enough, though it won't be easy for him from top weight and the presence of a claimer underlines that. Katgary has the ability to win this, though he has a bit to prove after two moderate efforts and Monbeg River may emerge as the biggest danger to the selection. Delusionofgrandeur may be able to improve again this season and is not ruled out, though ideally he would want further and some ease in the ground.