Southern Cranes And Training Division Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 1.25s

Brown Bear^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 107| C

11/8

Won three times here including last twice, one over fences. Returned from a break to win over hurdles at Ascot before fifth off higher mark at Towcester. Lower chase mark same as Ascot win so certainly capable, soft ground the worry.

Form: 1-61115

Bredon Hill Lad^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 104| C

7/2

Twice course winner returned with a win over 2m at Ffos Las. As effective over slightly further as today and 4lb rise not unfair so he can't be ruled out here.

Form: 25F14-1

Atlantic Roller^p,t²⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 104

13/2

Not seen under rules for 18 months with one ordinary point-to-point run in between. Maiden of 17 over fences and generally wanted further so plenty of question marks here.

Form: 3U/2437-

Bajardo^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: James Banks| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 101

7/2

Battled to success latest at Fakenham over 2m½f which was his second win in his last three starts. This probably taller order but in good form so not dismissed.

Form: 0/821-41

Little Jimmy^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: T R Gretton| OR: 96

10/1

Below par on return at Chepstow over hurdles before fourth of six when reverting to chasing at Ffos Las, 13½L behind Bredon Hill Lad. 11lb better off with that rival but revival needed after subdued start to campaign.

Form: 9244-04

Albatros De Guye^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Miss A M Newton-Smith| OR: 69

25/1

Lost his way last term and not regained the thread this campaign with a distant seventh followed by two lasts and a pulled up. 8lb out of the handicap and very hard to fancy.

Form: 0P-767P

Forecasts

Brown Bear (11/8), Bredon Hill Lad (7/2), Bajardo (7/2), Atlantic Roller (13/2), Little Jimmy (10/1), Albatros De Guye (25/1)

BROWN BEAR has certainly been profitable to follow this year and off the same mark here as his recent Ascot win over hurdles he makes plenty of appeal particularly given his course record. Bredon Hill Lad may rate the main danger after a win at Ffos Las latest and he too is a previous course winner. Bajardo seems to be progressing at this relatively late stage of his career so he can't be ruled out either.