Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 30.5s

O Maonlai^p1,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 132

5/1

Disappointing last time and his last win came when fresh and over a longer trip. This looks easier than recent tasks and cheekpieces are fitted, but he looks the type that needs a lot of things to go right for him.

Form: P45-P25

Icing On The Cake⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 128

7/1

Out of his depth last time but made an encouraging reappearance when in need of the run. Lightly raced and just 3lb above his winning mark, so holds decent claims with his yard going well.

Form: 1U43-50

Rock On Rocky^p,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 125| BF| C

8/1

Handicapper has had his say following an excellent second at Ascot. Down in grade and he may have less to prove than some in this despite his current mark.

Form: 742234

Beggar's Wishes^p,t⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 123

10/1

Will relish these conditions having found things happening too quickly on Boxing Day. Given a break since and goes well fresh, so a big player with his yard going well.

Form: 117-154

Granville Island¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 123| D

15/8

Has taken advantage of attractive marks to land a couple of races in lower grade. This promises to be tougher up another 7lb, but wellbeing is proven and he handles the conditions.

Form: F44311

Newberry New^p⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H Bethell| OR: 118| D

5/2

The fitting of cheekpieces have improved him no end and the deeper the ground the better. Meets better horses here off a higher mark, but as a previous Grade 3 winner in Ireland there is potentially more to come.

Form: 36-3311

Forecasts

Granville Island (15/8), Newberry New (5/2), O Maonlai (5/1), Icing On The Cake (7/1), Rock On Rocky (8/1), Beggar's Wishes (10/1)

This is potentially tricky with Granville Island and Newberry New having been in good form lately against tamer opposition. The latter may be ahead of the game having been a useful hurdler in Ireland who has been turned around by cheekpieces. Rock On Rocky can hardly be argued to be attractively weighted but his Ascot second commands respect in this company. Icing On The Cake is back in the right grade and more attractively weighted nowadays, but O'Maonlai has proved disappointing. BEGGAR'S WISHES will appreciate these conditions and a recent break. This looks easier than either of his last two races and his stable's horses are in form.