G. E. White & Sons Agricultural Buildings Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 59.65s

City Supreme^t²⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 120| C

9/2

Won here on testing ground over 2m3½f in February when just 1lb lower and but well beaten next two starts (latest over hurdles). Stays this far but record when fresh not red hot. Market check probably best advice.

Form: 342148-

Riddlestown¹⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 118

6/1

Ran up a four-timer in the spring on good/fast ground at up to 3m½f over both hurdles/fences. Held from this mark/1lb higher on two most recent runs, so has to find improvement after a break and conditions plenty testing enough for him.

Form: 11-1134

Bears Rails^b²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118

11/4

Reasonable performer at this level over fences, winning or being placed in half of his 12 starts, the latest at Fontwell (3m1½f, soft) from 6lb lower in January. Good effort when just held from 3lb lower at Uttoxeter last time and considered here.

Form: V17P-P2

Leith Hill Lad⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117

9/2

Kempton novices' hurdle (2m5f, good) winner last season but handicapper was in control when he went handicapping later on. Improved for chase debut when 3L third at Stratford (2m6½f, good) last time. Should stay but has it to prove on this going.

Form: 65F3-63

Talk Of The South¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 105| C

4/1

Won over 3m1f here (soft) over hurdles when 3lb lower. In-and-out since, being placed several times and failing to complete almost as many, including when unseating here last time. Handy mark, but hard to be confident he will take advantage.

Form: 2P-3P3U

Velvet Cognac^t,v1¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 99

10/1

Made bright start back in 2014 for Warren Greatrex, but has not yet managed to better his first three runs. Mark has slid commensurate with that. Would have claims on his Fontwell second in October, though well beaten last twice which is a concern.

Form: 2-34244

Frank N Fair¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 90| CD

12/1

Two of his four career wins have come here, the more recent being over C&D (good to soft) earlier in month. Up 9lb for that and although 4lb out of the handicap here, this is not brim-full with in-form opponents. Acts on the ground and considered.

Form: U3-P2F1

Forecasts

Bears Rails (11/4), Talk Of The South (4/1), City Supreme (9/2), Leith Hill Lad (9/2), Riddlestown (6/1), Velvet Cognac (10/1), Frank N Fair (12/1)

Modest fayre here and despite going up 3lb for his defeat last time, BEARS RAILS is the suggestion given that we know he stays well and acts on testing ground. City Supreme has the ability to make an impact from today's mark but market confidence would be preferable given that so far his record when fresh is ordinary. Leith Hill Lad is likely to be in the mix if he can handle the ground, while both Talk Of The South and Velvet Cognac come here off poor runs, but would each have squeak if on song. Frank N Fair is also respected despite being 4lb 'wrong'.