Book Now For Medieval Day - 3rd February Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 5m 37.06s

Special Wells²⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 122| CD

7/2

Won this race last year from a 5lb lower mark and has also won on heavy. Off the boil from 2lb higher on last two starts in spring. Drops in grade today and, while his record when fresh is not ideal, he can't be ruled out from a repeat success.

Form: 441144-

Crown Hill⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 119

4/1

Has won 2-4 over fences, both on testing ground at up to 2m5f. Has been campaigned over hurdles since latest chase win at Hereford in March, when 7lb lower. Still open to improvement over fences and has to be considered.

Form: 115-244

Crest^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 115

14/1

Sole success was on debut in a Navan maiden hurdle (2m4f, soft/heavy). Has run creditably on several occasions over both hurdles/fences, though not yet for this trainer. Well handicapped on Irish form, so money for him would be interesting.

Form: 223-P75

Granville Island¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 115| D

3/1

Almost four years since he last won in a 2m3f Catterick handicap chase (heavy), when 7lb higher. Ran well at Haydock on bottomless ground.first time cheekpieces last time. Headgear off today but 3lb drop could put him in the picture.

Form: 658-F44

Newberry New^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: H Bethell| OR: 111

11/4

Conditions are ideal for this three-time heavy ground scorer, the most recent being on his latest start at Uttoxeter (2m4f). 6lb rise for that is not ideal, given his previous form in Britain from such marks, so will need improvement to follow-up.

Form: 736-331

Leanna Ban^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonathan England| T: T Davidson| OR: 107

9/1

Goes on any ground, albeit he has yet to win on heavy. Beaten 6L over C&D from 4lb higher last March and beaten narrowly from this mark at Kelso in October, so would have claims with a repeat effort, but usually finds one too good.

Form: 23-72PR

Non-Runners

Hargam³⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: J & S Quinn J: Andrew Tinkler

Forecasts

Newberry New (11/4), Granville Island (3/1), Special Wells (7/2), Crown Hill (4/1), Leanna Ban (9/1), Hargam (12/1), Crest (14/1)

Special Wells is likely to prove popular given his win in this last year and the fact that he gets in here from a mark higher than the ceiling. It is always a concern taking on Sue Smith's runners here, but his record when fresh is not red hot and from 5lb higher he looks vulnerable. Money for Hargam could prove to be significant, while Crest, Granville Island, Newberry New and Leanna Ban could all pick up some money if things drop right. However, CROWN HILL relishes testing ground, stays a bit further than this and remains open to a bit more improvement over fences, so he is preferred.