Education Network Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 18.40s

Pougne Bobbi³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133| BF| D

6/5

Successful once from six starts over fences and well held since that victory over 2m4f at Ludlow (soft) 11 months ago. Races off a 5lb higher mark today.

Form: 5157-45

Cusheen Bridge^t⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: A Pogson| T: C T Pogson| OR: 127| C| D

9/1

Returned to form when finishing third the last twice with the most recent of those placed efforts coming on good ground at Doncaster (2m3f) last month. Interesting to see how he fares today.

Form: 15PP-33

Princeton Royale^v³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 127

13/2

Good effort in finishing third over 2m5f at Fakenham (soft) last time out. Races off the same mark today and has won off a higher mark over hurdles in the past.

Form: 1523-P3

Allee Bleue²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120| C| D

11/2

Finished runner-up in a competitive handicap hurdle here nearly a year ago but well held in the main since and more needed than when finishing 16L third at Exeter last time.

Form: 2P0-773

Masterplan^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119| D

3/1

Winner over 2m4f in a three runner contest on good-to-firm ground at Towcester last April and finished second twice since. Handles all ground and is one for the shortlist today.

Form: 6561-22

Forecasts

Pougne Bobbi (6/5), Masterplan (3/1), Allee Bleue (11/2), Princeton Royale (13/2), Cusheen Bridge (9/1)

MASTERPLAN has run well the last twice and he can go one better than when finishing runner-up at Sandown last time out by taking this five runner handicap chase. Princeton Royal has won off a higher mark over hurdles and can claim second here having made the frame at Fakenham last time out while top weight Pougne Bobbi is likely to find this less competitive than the Ascot contest he lined up in last time out and as such he can finish third.