Bathwick Tyres Bridgwater Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 4m 20.1s

Space Oddity^h⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 138| C| D

15/8

Useful hurdler, made winning start in 2m good-ground beginners chase at Uttoxeter in May. Best effort this term came in decent Ascot novice chase (2m3f, good) in November when close second, though poor since at Newbury. Drop in trip suits.

Form: P2-1427

Ut Majeur Aulmes^p,t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 133| D

7/1

Now ten-years-old and without a win since March 2016 but continues to give his running and gone close in two most recent outings, including 17 days ago at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) when 3¼L third of five in this grade.

Form: 583-223

Sandy Beach¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 126| C| D

4/1

A promising chaser in 2015/16, things haven't gone to plan since with injuries, back from 11 months off when well fended off here 11 days ago over 3m on soft going. Bit to prove at the moment and this trip could be on the sharp side now.

Form: U0/13P-7

Kauto Riko²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: T R Gretton| OR: 123| D

7/4

Fair handicap hurdler last term, he impressed with a winning start over these obstacles at Newcastle last month in a Novices' Limited Handicap. This is tougher but has scope to improve.

Form: 0/1123-1

Mr Fitzroy^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 119| D

14/1

Lost his way somewhat since taking a Class 3 Fontwell handicap hurdle (2m1½f, soft) off a mark of 115 around this time last year. Just touched off on chasing bow at Plumpton in February (2m3½f, heavy), may have needed hurdles reappearance.

Form: 6/12P-04

Forecasts

Kauto Riko (7/4), Space Oddity (15/8), Sandy Beach (4/1), Ut Majeur Aulmes (7/1), Mr Fitzroy (14/1)

There was plenty to like about KAUTO RIKO's winning starts over fences at Newcastle last month. He moved into contention with a minimum of fuss and arguably had the race in safe keeping even before his closes pursuer came down at the last. With the likelihood of further improvement now, the 8lb rise meted out to him looks surmountable. Space Oddity may do better over this shorter trip while Mr Fitzroy isn't written off having perhaps needed the reappearance over hurdles. Ut Majeur Aulmes will likely offer his usual solid effort, but may again prove vulnerable at the death.