Richard Hardy Memorial Handicap Chase (Sponsored By Weatherbys Hamilton)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 9.22s

The Last But One¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| C| D

9/2

Winner of three of his last four starts including on heavy ground over an extended 1m7f here earlier this one. Likely to play a leading role despite a 7lb rise in the weights.

Form: P211F1

Wilberdragon^p,t⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 122| CD

4/1

C&D winner on good ground when wearing cheekpieces for the first time in October. Held in three subsequent starts however and more needed in this.

Form: 6-31355

Bramble Brook^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 119| D

8/1

Dual winner this season most recently in a three runner race at Fontwell (2m2f, heavy) in February. Held twice since including in first time cheekpieces (retained) here last time.

Form: 313164

Buster Thomas⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 116| D

9/4

Novice hurdle winner at Lingfield (good-to-soft) on rules debut but struggled in the main since. Better effort having been hampered early on prior to finishing fifth at Doncaster last time.

Form: 12-3F45

Amber Gambler²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 115| D

7/2

Winner of four of his nine chase starts with the latest of those coming over this trip on soft ground at Haydock three weeks ago. One to note racing off a 3lb higher mark in this.

Form: 1P-6451

Turban¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: P Henderson| OR: 101

11/1

Successful four times over fences and put in a fair effort when fourth at Kempton (soft) recently. Likely more needed if he's to take this contest.

Form: 255534

Forecasts

Buster Thomas (9/4), Amber Gambler (7/2), Wilberdragon (4/1), The Last But One (9/2), Bramble Brook (8/1), Turban (11/1)

THE LAST BUT ONE impressed when winning on heavy ground here earlier this month and he can defy a 7lb higher mark to take this six runner handicap chase. The step up in trip should prove no inconvenience here while he has won on the forecast quicker ground in the past. Buster Thomas looks capable of finishing runner-up following a promising effort at Doncaster last time out while Amber Gambler can claim third as he bids to follow up his Haydock victory of three weeks ago.