Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 5m 34.40s

Bright New Dawn⁹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 140| D

20/1

Grade 1 runner-up over fences and Grade 2 winner over both hurdles/fences in Ireland. Unable to win in six starts for this trainer, but handicapper has eased him 3lb here, so down in grade and with optimum conditions/trip he could go close.

Form: 3437F-6

O Maonlai^t⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 134

7/1

Trainer has admitted that he is not easy to catch right and a record of 2-15 over fences underlines that. Conditions/trip fine for him and ought to be very competitive from same mark as his last win. Claims.

Form: 1P45-P2

Crosspark³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 134| CD

10/11

Won this race last year on heavy ground when 2lb lower. Reasonably consistent performer, so although he has not added to that from a 2lb higher mark in four runs since, he has claims of a repeat with the champion on board.

Form: U13-4P4

Creep Desbois⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 129

5/2

Has made a good start over fences, improving on hurdles form immediately at Ascot (3m) in November and then bettering that to win at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) last time. Up 5lb and in a better race, but can't say he won't find the necessary improvement.

Form: 413-051

Colin's Brother⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129

11/1

Won over a similar trip as a hurdler, so no stamina concerns, despite all three chase wins being over shorter. Won a 0-145 by 3¾L from 5lb lower at Ludlow last time. On that evidence he is still improving and is short-listed again here.

Form: 11P3-U1

Azzuri^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123

20/1

Won a couple of good ground novices' chases at Southwell (1m7½f) last summer. Well held in handicaps since then from marks of 129 and 126. Drops 3lb again here, but needs to get back to that summer form to have a chance.

Form: 211364

Forecasts

Crosspark (10/11), Creep Desbois (5/2), O Maonlai (7/1), Colin's Brother (11/1), Azzuri (20/1), Bright New Dawn (20/1)

Bright New Dawn is very much of interest down in grade here, though the Venetia Williams team is a little below par this term, which is a concern. O Maonlai has the ability to win it, but catching him right is difficult and last year's winner Crosspark is arguably more reliable and should be thereabouts from 2lb higher. Creep Desbois needs to up his game, but is still going the right way and the latter comment applies to COLIN'S BROTHER, who won at Ludlow looking like there was more to come, so he gets the bote to follow-up from 5lb higher.