Keogh & Hows Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 0.5s

Ink Master^t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| C| D

5/2

Ended a barren spell when hosing-up in a selling hurdle here. Subsequently hacked up again at Perth before winning a little less comfortably at Sedgefield last time out. Has a huge-weight seeking the four-timer but still a leading player.

Form: 5-55111

McCabe Creek⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T A McClorey⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 120

11/2

Huntingdon winner last season hasn't really hit the heights since and last two runs here and at Uttoxeter well below par. Had a short break since but will need it to have rejuvenated and still higher than winning mark.

Form: 21P-246

Modeligo^p,t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 109| CD

16/1

C&D winner in May but ran poorly next twice over fences before returning here latest over hurdles where again he ran badly and stopped fast on the run-in. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 1-61P68

Ontopoftheworld^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 105| BF| D

7/2

Heavy ground chase winner for Arthur Moore in Ireland was made favourite for debut for this yard here over 2m6½f but didn't seem to stay. 3lb below last winning mark now so of plenty of interest back over a more suitable trip.

Form: 05P-544

Alexander The Grey³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 99WS

9/4

18-race maiden has ran two of his best races here lately over 2m3½f and 2m6½f. Up 2lb today and was beaten 13L in third latest so still has to improve. Wind-operation reported since last run.

Form: 0-P8623

Hurricane Rita^p,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: C R Dore| OR: 97

9/1

Left first four poor efforts over fences behind latest when narrowly failing to land an upset at Worcester over 2m½f. Can go well again if that wasn't a one off although 4lb rise does make life tougher.

Form: 6F35P2

Forecasts

Alexander The Grey (9/4), Ink Master (5/2), Ontopoftheworld (7/2), McCabe Creek (11/2), Hurricane Rita (9/1), Modeligo (16/1)

It may pay to chance ONTOPOFTHEWORLD today over this more suitable trip. This former Irish chaser looks to be on a very appealing mark now and should be a different proposition today having seemed to not stay 2m6½f here on his UK bow. Ink Master has been a revelation of late and although his last win suggested the handicapper is closing in he still has to respected seeking a four-timer. Hurricane Rita ran a much better race latest and a repeat of that effort should see her firmly in the thick of things too.