15:45 Stratford

Thursday 2 August 2018

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Low 6 Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 27.1s

Old Pride^h⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-3| J: Alex Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 102

5/1

Fair record in point-to-points but has never yet won over regulation fences and this looks a tough ask under a big weight.

Form: 211/1-4P

Alexander The Grey^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 97

5/1

Long-standing maiden but posted one of his better efforts last time out. Seemed to take a shine to this course and has strong possibilities of at least making the frame if posting a similar effort. One to consider.

Form: 30-P862

Fair Frank¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 96

25/1

Lost his place with a late mishap over C&D last time out and would be harsh to judge him on his finishing position. Very possible that he's a bit better than the bare form and is another that merits a betting check.

Form: 3417-P6

Brave Helios^p,t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R T Phillips| OR: 96

25/1

Ran well in this last year and has a very feasible chance of putting in a similar effort from the same mark this time around. Not seen since being pulled up in June, so the betting can guide on this occasion.

Form: 2658-2P

Next Level^t⁷²

10/1

Endured training issues and has undergone wind surgery since he faded to finish seventh of eleven at Hexham in May. Previous form was a bit patchy and, as he can be a bit erratic at his fences, the gelding isn't one for maximum faith.

Form: 4PP/20-7

Ronnie Lawson^t⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 84

12/1

Still a maiden but has scope over fences. raced only once since at fair run at Catterick at the turn of the year but has gone well fresh in the oast; so merits a cursory check in the betting. Has a bit to prove after being pulled up when last seen.

Form: P6424-P

Definite Ridge^v²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 81| D

40/1

Has endured a few long breaks between visits to the racecourse and he needs to prove he is robust enough to stand a second run of the summer having had just one outing in well over a year. place claims if able to repeat his best form.

Form: 54033/6

Massini's Lady¹⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 80WS

11/10

A heavy ground winner at Wetherby in February, the mare was unable to repeat the feat in either start since. Now back with a new yard and having had wind surgery, the betting can guide as to whether she can recapture her best.

Form: 222146-

Rakaia Rosa¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 77

66/1

1-14 over fences and in danger of becoming a frustrating mare to follow. Failed to get competitive in either previous start this season and looks one to be wary of just for the time being.

Form: 5646-96

King Golan^b²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 73

14/1

Can make the running and has snippets of form that suggest he has the ability to win a race locked away somewhere. The fact he is still a maiden does temper the confidence, however, and others make a tad more appeal.

Form: 33-4573

The Kvilleken^p¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: H James| OR: 67| C

80/1

Lost his way last year and has subsequently made very little impression in point-to-points and recent return to this course. Probably safe to let him do his own thing this time.

Form: 309P-65

Forecasts

Massini's Lady (11/10), Old Pride (5/1), Alexander The Grey (5/1), Next Level (10/1), Ronnie Lawson (12/1), King Golan (14/1), Brave Helios (25/1), Fair Frank (25/1), Definite Ridge (40/1), Rakaia Rosa (66/1), The Kvilleken (80/1)

A tough one to call and only a tentative nomination goes the way of ALEXANDER THE GREY, who likes this course and could represent good value to finally rid himself of his maiden tag. King Golan can also go well at a fair price and is another to bear in mind. While Massini's Lady and Definite Ridge add spice to what could be a long list of dangers.