Sherwood Marquees Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 5m 7.10s

Elkstone^h⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 93

1/1

Still a maiden after 23 starts despite having had plenty of chances to get on the score sheet. Beaten just half a length here last time over extended 2m5f and runs off 1lb higher mark now. Should be thereabouts again.

Form: 35244-2

Grow Nasa Grow⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ryan Winks⁽⁵⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 76

7/2

Maiden placed only twice from 13 starts, but was fair third at Doncaster in January on soft gorund. Hasn't run well in three starts since but a revival not completely ruled out.

Form: PP345-7

Larkhall¹⁶⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 71

11/2

Two wins under Rules but most recent was November 2015 off 4lb higher than current mark. Returns from winter break and would have a squeak if fit enough to do himself justice.

Form: 473356-

Rapid Fritz^t⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 65

6/1

28 races without a win to his name and has been well beaten on all recent starts. 2lb out of the handicap and very hard to make a case for.

Form: 6P53-04

L'Es Fremantle^p⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 60

50/1

43-race maiden who has finished last on all five outings since the turn of the year on the Flat and over the sticks. Needs a minor miracle.

Form: 506555-

The Society Man³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 60| C

11/1

Only win in 87 starts came in a selling hurdle at this track on Boxing Day 2012. Hasn't beaten a single horse in his last five starts and races from 7lb out of the handicap.

Form: 3PU348-

Forecasts

Elkstone (1/1), Grow Nasa Grow (7/2), Larkhall (11/2), Rapid Fritz (6/1), The Society Man (11/1), L'Es Fremantle (50/1)

This is a very, very modest race which almost certainly concerns only the top three in the handicap. Top weight ELKSTONE has cost supporters a packet over the years and is still a maiden, but he did go very close last time. Maybe this will finally be his day. Grow Nasa Grow receives 17lb from the selection and has a chance on his Doncaster run this winter, while Larkhall is not a complete no-hoper despite having failed to score since 2015.