Ladbrokes Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 54.5s

Beggar's Wishes^b,t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 152

8/1

Relentless improver has won four times over fences including last three and he took his form to another new level when galloping a good field into submission at Newton Abbot (heavy) last month. Another 10b rise for that but brave to rule him out.

Form: 5421-11

Aso³⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 150| D

8/1

Three-time chase winner's career highlight came when third in the 2017 Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival. Only one substandard run last term so has a few question marks now with this just his second run in 20 months.

Form: 18434/5-

Three Musketeers^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| CD

4/1

Dual winner over fences finished second when last seen over them back in January at Market Rasen. Two subsequent hurdle runs less inspiring however including reappearance at Aintree. Capable off current mark but others appeal more.

Form: 05920-7

King's Odyssey²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 141| D

5/2

Finished third in three valuable 2m5f chases at Cheltenham last season including at the festival. 6L second at Aintree on return another sound effort and once again this ultra-consistent type should make a bold bid.

Form: 0/3333-2

Ballybolley^t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| D

9/1

Won a decent race at Market Rasen last September but then seemingly lost his way. Recent return saw him struggle in that same race as he tailed off and now rates a risky proposition.

Form: 3560-75

Touch Kick^h,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

5/2

Relatively lightly raced but two from four over fences including latest win at Hereford on reappearance. All out there and 3lb higher now in a tougher race but suspect there is more to come so not ruled out.

Form: 16/713-1

Non-Runners

Willoughby Court³³³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Willoughby Court (2/1), Touch Kick (5/2), King's Odyssey (5/2), Three Musketeers (4/1), Aso (8/1), Beggar's Wishes (8/1), Ballybolley (9/1)

Neptune hurdle winner WILLOUGHBY COURT was favourite for last year's JLT novices chase at the festival until things went wrong at Cheltenham in January. He hasn't been seen since but Ben Pauling's stable star has been found a nice opportunity on return and if he is as good over fences as he was over hurdles he should be able to land this prize en-route to bigger things. Consistent sort King's Odyssey deserves his day in the sun and sooner or later will be winning again; he is the main danger. Beggar's Wishes' improvement makes him hard to ignore also.