GMS Fire Protection Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 4m 29.50s

Key To The West^p⁹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-2| J: J E Moore| T: J L Spearing| OR: 102WS

11/2

Useful chaser once upon a time but been on the downgrade for a while and this mark reflects that. Drops in grade again but no signs he's about to come back to form any time soon.

Form: 4368-7P

Here I Am¹²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: William Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 101| C

8/1

Nothing wrong with this mark (7lb below last winning mark) and has other plus points, such as an ability to handle most ground and is a C&D winner. Question is whether he's fit after an absence but has won after a break, so has to be considered.

Form: 121/5-7P

Flashman^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 98

5/1

Will appreciate the return to a sound surface and in truth it's that that you are pinning your hopes on for a return to form, as he's been well beaten lately. Chance if recapturing his August C&D form from 7lb higher, but risky.

Form: 722475

Spiritofchartwell⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 94| CD

5/2

Likes this track and snatched an unlikely looking victory out the fire last time, as he had to be cajoled along at various points before finishing with a flourish. Only 1lb higher here, so if on a going day, another that should be given a chance.

Form: 512121

Skint^b,t³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 93| D

11/4

Old boy pops up from time to time and it was his turn again when successful at Huntingdon last time. However, 5lb higher here and more pertinently has never followed up a win with another, so needs to defy that stat if he's to follow up.

Form: 555621

Irish Thistle³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: David Bass| T: D L Williams| OR: 85

7/2

Seen out earlier in the week but once again, despite some support in the market, disappointed and was pulled up. Better ground here may help but modest strike rate overall is offputting and he may be playing for places at best.

Form: 34464P

Non-Runners

Echnaton²⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 5

T: L Wadham J: Maxime Tissier

Forecasts

Spiritofchartwell (5/2), Skint (11/4), Irish Thistle (7/2), Flashman (5/1), Key To The West (11/2), Echnaton (6/1), Here I Am (8/1)

Not easy to solve, with all seven having some sort of question mark against them. A chance is taken on HERE I AM, who knows how to win around here and may be better for having had a break. He faces little competiton for the lead and may be able to make all. Spiritofchartwell can look hard work at times but he tries hard and looks more likely to run his race than a few. Flashman has a chance if refinding some form and Echnaton looks a likely improver.