Premier League Derby Betting At 188Bet Handicap Chase (Qualifier)

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 5m 38.8s

Play The Ace^p,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 134| D

6/1

Has somehow kept on improving despite rising steadily in the weights and now looks far more than just a Stratford specialist. Arrives seeking a four timer (unbeaten during November) but 5lb above his last winning mark at Kempton (2m4f good to soft).

Form: 143111

Ballyhill²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| BF

9/2

Both of his career successes over hurdles have come on good ground and he has something to prove with cut. His opening efforts in 2m novice chases were solid (against stronger rivals), but not so sharp last time here in a handicap. Up in trip.

Form: 500-235

Ravished^t⁵⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 131

14/1

Formerly with Mouse Morris in Ireland and sold for £29,000 in September 2016, but returns to action for a belated stable debut having been absent since July 2016. No doubting he has ability (three time chase winner), but best over further.

Form: 9P52/90-

Katachenko²⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 131| C| D

7/2

Arguably he seems to save his best form for the spring months, but importantly he can also go well fresh. Hasn't won since April 2016 (2m, Grade 3 Handicap Aintree, good to soft), but slipping in the weights and fine over this trip.

Form: 53520U-

Swift Crusador³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| BF| D

5/2

Former point-to-pointer who had luck on his side when making a winning hurdles debut at Ffos Las in March (2m4f heavy), but was only caught close home by Itshard To No on his chasing debut at Chepstow last month (2m, soft). Up 4lb, but unexposed.

Form: U2/211-2

Hargam³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 125

22/1

Struggled since his days as a smart juvenile hurdler (2015 Triumph third), and has yet to really demonstrate that chasing will be his forte. Has left Nicky Henderson and is dangerously handicapped, but poor on stable debut at Carlisle last month.

Form: 000-220

Barrys Jack¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 113| BF

9/2

Notched the hat-trick despite having to work hard at Carlisle in late October (2m1f handicap hurdle). Unseated his rider early over fences at Sedgefield latest (2m soft), but is still lightly raced in this discipline and could have more to offer.

Form: 42111U

Forecasts

Swift Crusador (5/2), Katachenko (7/2), Barrys Jack (9/2), Ballyhill (9/2), Play The Ace (6/1), Ravished (14/1), Hargam (22/1)

A number of the runners in this contest arrive in decent shape, including the continuously improving Play The Ace. His progress over fences had apparently been halted by the handicapper in October, but he's found further progress (largely away from Stratford) during November, and arrives seeking a four-timer. Barry's Jack has been well placed to take three races so far this term, and is open to further improvement over fences, and should be considered from a light-weight, whilst the returning Katachenko is falling in the weights and can go well fresh; although is often at his strongest during the spring months. A tentative vote goes to the unexposed former pointer SWIFT CRUSADOR. He ran a solid race on his rules chasing debut at Chepstow last month (caught close home), and despite rising 4lb in the weights, shouldn't be unduly troubled by an extra four furlongs at this much less demanding track.