Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 13.40s

Bigirononhiship⁴⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122| BF

4/1

Had been knocking on the door over fences until getting off the mark at Hexham (2m4f) penultimately. Shade disappointing next over Carlisle but 3m2f and heavy ground looked too far. This trip more suitable and back on Hexham mark so respected.

Form: 22R3/15-

Voie Dans Voie²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 120

5/2

Four-time placed hurdler made a pleasing start over fences at Exeter when fifth of 11 in a novice chase against superior hurdlers. Suspect will be better chaser than hurdler and has leading claims if that indeed proves the case.

Form: 52236-5

Hills Of Dubai²⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118

6/1

Won first two chases at Ayr on heavy ground before finishing second in a handicap here over 2m4½f. Disappointing in final start but still relatively unexposed over fences so potential here if fully wound up on return.

Form: 33/1123-

Strongly Suggested^p⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 117

40/1

Potential off this mark on the pick of his 2017 form but less impressive this year and comes here on the back of 35L and 63L defeats the last twice. Risky proposition now.

Form: P-20599

Steps And Stairs²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 117| BF

6/1

Consistent sort has been in good order since joining this yard, winning two of his four starts. Only beaten a neck on reappearance at Bangor last month. 6lb rise for that run gives him a career high mark but not ruled out.

Form: P2/131-2

Masterplan²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 112

20/1

Pulled-up in final start last term and again in first two starts this season. Finally completed a race latest but was still tailed off and last. Not sure what has gone amiss because he'd been running well earlier last season but hard to fancy now.

Form: 33-PPP8

Absolutely Dylan³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 109| BF

5/2

Winning hurdler bred for fences and made a winning start over them winning at Sedgefield by 18L (horse in second fell at the last). Staying on third next at Wetherby over 2m3½f suggested he will relish this longer trip; leading claims here.

Form: 2178-13

Forecasts

Absolutely Dylan (5/2), Voie Dans Voie (5/2), Bigirononhiship (4/1), Hills Of Dubai (6/1), Steps And Stairs (6/1), Masterplan (20/1), Strongly Suggested (40/1)

A pair of unexposed five-year-olds look the pair to concentrate on here with preference for Sue Smith's ABSOLUTELY DYLAN who has already scored over fences and since looked sure to relish a step up in trip which he gets here. Voie Dans Voie ran well in his first chase start and could easily prove well handicapped now over fences so rates the biggest danger. Steps And Stairs has two wins, a second and a third in four starts for Henry Oliver so is fully expected to make another bold bid.