3 M Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 7m 8.10s

The Lion Dancer^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 108| D

5/1

In great form at present having won his last twice with both victories coming over an extended 3m1f at Plumpton (heavy). Raised 14lb for his latest success and remains open to improvement.

Form: 66R311

Hansupfordetroit^t³⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 97| D

9/1

Three time chase winner but pulled up in a race won by The Lion Dancer at Plumpton last time out and more needed if he's to take this.

Form: 14244P

Clondaw Rigger^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 97| D

3/1

Impressive Hereford (3m1f, soft) winner in January and has finished runner-up the last twice including on heavy ground at Uttoxeter last weekend. One for the shortlist racing off the same mark in this.

Form: 721522

Cruising Bye^p,t²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 95| C| D

10/3

Placed on both starts since rejoining this stable from Gary Hanmer Beaten just ½L when finishing runner-up at Bangor (3m, soft) last time out and he is likely to run well once more.

Form: 8-13832

Steel Native¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T E Whelan| T: D A Rees| OR: 92| BF| CD

3/1

Hurdles winner here in December but failed to complete on both chase outings since and held over hurdles the last twice. Has won over C&D in the past.

Form: 51PF55

Charming Lad^b,t¹⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: A Day| OR: 74| D

40/1

Failed to complete on his final two starts of 2016 and pulled up on first run in well over a year at Warwick last month. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 7/0PFP-P

Sounds Of Italy^b1³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 73| BF| D

5/1

Placed over hurdles here in February and sent off favourite when finishing 29L second to The Lion Dancer at Plumpton (heavy) last time. Work to do if he's to reverse that form. Wears blinkers for the first time.

Form: 000432

Forecasts

Steel Native (3/1), Clondaw Rigger (3/1), Cruising Bye (10/3), The Lion Dancer (5/1), Sounds Of Italy (5/1), Hansupfordetroit (9/1), Charming Lad (40/1)

CLONDAW RIGGER can register his second success over fences by taking this staying handicap chase. The selection was placed off this mark recently and can get the better of top weight The Lion Dancer who may struggle to concede weight to all of his rivals off a mark significantly higher than for his impressive victory last time. Cruising Bye has run well the last twice and can put in another sound effort by finishing third.