Bet & Watch At 188bet.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 4m 11.40s

Ulis De Vassy^v²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 97| D

7/2

Couple of wins last month at Southwell over this trip, either side of lacklustre display at Uttoxeter (heavy). Up a further 5lb, but meeting a meagre looking mob here seemingly and chance is clear.

Form: 5F2131

Peppay Le Pugh^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 92| BF

9/4

Irresolute sort over hurdles who has flattered to deceive on more than one occasion over hurdles and looked to repeat the trick on his first two run over fences at Catterick an Southwell (twice runner-up). May travel well again, hard to trust.

Form: 642222

Shininstar^h³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 89

6/1

Seven-race maiden over hurdles, well held on chase bow at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) last month and others make clearer appeal here.

Form: 888-087

Jackthejourneyman^p,t⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: T R Gretton| OR: 87| CD

5/1

Has struggled this term and consequently fallen 10lb in the handicap. Jury is out though whether current rating will inspire a return to form.

Form: 295455

Isle Road¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: A Nicol| T: J Riches| OR: 84

33/1

Produced a career best at Downpatrick last May (third). Best form has come on quicker ground and fell early on here this month on debut for new connections on return to action.

Form: PR2-13P

Brother Bennett^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: T E Whelan| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 81WS

6/1

Irish bumper winner all the way back in 2014, not added to that in 18 runs since. Jumps safely enough as a rule over fences but lacks a gear change when it comes to the crunch. Comes here fresh from a wind operation.

Form: U4-3436

Millen Dollar Man^b²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 75

17/2

A record of 1 from 30 over hurdles speaks volumes, unseated on sole previous chasing attempt and looks up against it here.

Form: 079745

Forecasts

Peppay Le Pugh (9/4), Ulis De Vassy (7/2), Jackthejourneyman (5/1), Shininstar (6/1), Brother Bennett (6/1), Millen Dollar Man (17/2), Isle Road (33/1)

There isn't much to recommend in this field and so ULIS DE VASSY looks the clear choice. He's won two of his last three starts and may want to pin his disappointment in between times on very heavy going. He's gone up 5lb for the latest win at Southwell, but gets a good chance to snare himself another prize in this field. Peppay Le Pugh will doubtless loom as the chief threat but he has travelled ominously before settling for second best on his last four outings and is frustrating. Perhaps the wind surgery will allow Brother Bennett get into contention for some prize money.