15:25 Leicester

Wednesday 31 January 2018

All13:1513:4514:1514:5015:2515:55

Running Hare Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 5m 28.6s

Bekkensfirth²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| CD

5/1

Useful novice chaser a couple of seasons back, including impressive C&D success, clearly had issues and had been off for almost two years but showed enough at Sandown this month on return to chasing to warrant strong consideration.

Form: 3912/66

Lord Bryan^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 116| BF

8/1

Made all to score at Chepstow (2m3½f, heavy) in early December and that form has worked out nicely. Pulled up once headed here next time (scoped dirty) and may not be one to write off too quickly as such.

Form: P-P631P

Bestwork²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 116| D

25/1

Made all on Boxing Day at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) to make it four wins from seven starts lately, potentially not suited by drop to 2m here since, this test looks more adequate.

Form: 114516

Indian Native^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 113| D

9/2

Mare progressed nicely over hurdles last season, winning at Hereford in February over this sort of trip on heavy going. Looked capable in three chase starts so far and has potential in this line-up.

Form: 313-443

Kincora Fort^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 110

4/1

Won at Kempton in May 2015 but endured training issues since then. However, showed no signs of rustiness when second over fences at Huntington at Christmas. Claims if able to use that as a platform, so well worth a betting check.

Form: 461/462

Go West Young Man²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 109

9/1

Temperamental sort, not much in four runs this winter to be positive about having twice failed to complete. Well beaten at Sandown earlier in the month and opposed here.

Form: 2-47UP7

Triple Chief^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 108

13/2

Winner over hurdles at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month and since ran fine race to be second over fences at Exeter (2m3f, soft). Consistent sort who should go well again despite 4lb rise under talented Bryony Frost.

Form: 2-22412

The Bay Birch⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 94

6/1

A 20-race maiden in Ireland, nothing she achieved in 11 runs for Francis Flood during 2017 suggested a win is imminent. Big ask on bow for new connections.

Form: 452357

Dylanseoghan⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 94

16/1

Career-best returning from a year off when second here last month over 2m6½f (good) but has failed to complete in two subsequent runs, including here a week ago. Drops is distance but has questions to answer at the moment.

Form: P/P3-2PU

Forecasts

Kincora Fort (4/1), Indian Native (9/2), Bekkensfirth (5/1), The Bay Birch (6/1), Triple Chief (13/2), Lord Bryan (8/1), Go West Young Man (9/1), Dylanseoghan (16/1), Bestwork (25/1)

A couple of the likelier winners have overcome some problems and, as such, have their risks attached now. BEKKENSIFRTH achieved an impressive C&D novice success here in December 2015 before enduring more than 700 days on the sidelines. After a return spin over hurdles, he showed plenty promise this month at Sandown and, dropped 2lb, should go close in this having proved his ability remains intact. Kincora Fort spent 900 days away following a Kempton handicap hurdle win in May 2015 and was also give a couple of spins over hurdles to ease him back before a promising second on his chase bow at Huntingdon on Boxing Day. Last month's Chepstow scorer Lord Bryan is also capable of bouncing back having had excuses here last time out.