Geoff Smith 65th Birthday Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 7m 11.90s

Leo Luna^t,v⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| CD

7/2

Bounced back to form to win at Plumpton (3m1½f, soft) in January. Was beaten when unseating rider at Sandown last time. Back down in grade here and still below last winning mark. Sound claims.

Form: 02-341U

Wizards Bridge^b¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 121| CD

3/1

A return to form when winning at Chepstow (2m3½f, soft) last time. Raised 5lbs for that win so more required but is capable. Steps back up in trip today which is no problem and likely to be thereabouts.

Form: 6-143P1

Crank Em Up^b²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 113

5/1

Won on heavy ground at Wincanton in January and has found life tougher from this higher mark since. Needs a career best to win today but top rider booked and hard to dismiss.

Form: 53P124

Bears Rails^b¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 112| C

4/1

Has struggled lately in some competitive races for the grade so slighly disappointing effort under the circumstances at Chepstow(2m7½f, soft) last time. Mark continues to slide so market check needed. Yard also runs Wizards Bridge.

Form: P22956

Morney Wing^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: C J Mann| OR: 109

3/1

Fortunate winner at Fakenham (3m, soft) last time. Was a remote third when the two leaders capsized and left him clear. Been dropped 4lb as a result but still needs to show more to score again today.

Form: 73R2P1

Forecasts

Wizards Bridge (3/1), Morney Wing (3/1), Leo Luna (7/2), Bears Rails (4/1), Crank Em Up (5/1)

Easy to make a case for all of the runners here. Crank Em Up has looked vunerable off this mark. Leo Luna is more than capable of winning again back down in grade. The two to concentrate on may well be the two Colin Tizzard runners. Whilst money for Bears Rails would be significant, slight preference is for WIZARDS BRIDGE to win again back up in trip.