Ryder Sugden Birthday Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 57.10s

Middlebrow^p,t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117| C

5/2

Battled to a head victory at Kelso (2m1f, good) in October on his most recent appearance. Returns from a break and cheekpieces worn for the first time that day are retained.

Form: 27-4431

Midnight Chill^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 116| D

11/10

Had wind surgery prior to winning over an extended 2m at Sedgefield (good-to-soft) three weeks ago. Interesting despite a 3lb rise in the weights.

Form: 02P3-01

Halcyon Days^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 109| CD

7/2

Made a winning return to action when successful over 2m at Carlisle (good-to-soft) in October. Drop in trip in his favour having weakened over 2m4f at Newcastle (soft) last time out.

Form: PP2-616

Buyer Beware²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J Kington| T: A Crook| OR: 108| C

11/1

Promising third over 2m3f on good ground here in a beginners chase on debut for this yard last month. Worth a check in the market dropping in distance switched to handicaps.

Form: 0/666-43

Nicolas Chauvin^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt| OR: 108| D

18/1

Beaten 24L in a 2m handicap chase at Musselburgh (good) last time out. Has won off a higher mark in the past but likely more needed if he's to take this event.

Form: 6-78435

Forecasts

Midnight Chill (11/10), Middlebrow (5/2), Halcyon Days (7/2), Buyer Beware (11/1), Nicolas Chauvin (18/1)

Top weight MIDDLEBROW can follow-up his Kelso success in October by taking this small field handicap chase. The selection has the trip and forecast underfoot conditions to suit and he can see off Midnight Chill who looked to have improved for wind surgery when scoring last time. Third place can go the way of Halcyon Days who should find this distance more suitable having weakened over further last time.