Happy 21st Birthday Emily Robson Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 3.0s

Henry's Joy^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| C

6/1

Course winner over hurdles, he put in a much improved effort last time on his second chase start (went down to a Musselburgh course specialist). Still needs to jump more fluently (not ruled out) and should be able to cope with this mark.

Form: 517-252

Bulls Head⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: M Todhunter| OR: 115

16/1

Won his first two starts over hurdles for this yard in testing conditions but failed to cope with higher marks/longer trips subsequently. Fell at the first on his chase debut last time and still has to prove himself off this mark and in this sphere.

Form: 9/112-9F

Virnon¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 105

9/4

His win last time at Southwell back over fences came rather out of the blue although he was assisted by a career-low mark; appeared to enjoy the trip (2m4f) and testing going. Carries a 7lb penalty under similar conditions and has to be respected.

Form: 21/F4-01

Eureu Du Boulay^t⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 111| D

9/4

Given a typically sound Danny Cook ride from the front to win at Catterick (2m3f, soft) making use of his four-year-old allowance. Under a different rider now but scope for the same tactics under a 7lb penalty.

Form: 62P451

Solid Strike²⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Paul Collins| OR: 107

10/1

Has run over a variety of trips for this yard and now gets a chance off a career-low mark after a break having confirmed that he acts on this surface when he was last seen. Best form has come over further and may find this trip a little too sharp.

Form: 41/5363-

Knocknamona^p1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103| BF

3/1

Hit a real purple patch late last year/early this year with a four-timer off lowly marks (three chase wins all against small fields on testing ground). Has gradually worked his way back to form since a break (runner up last twice); cheekpieces on.

Form: 46-4622

Non-Runners

Chain Of Beacons¹⁶

Weight: 11-6| Age: 9

T: K Scott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Eureu Du Boulay (9/4), Virnon (9/4), Knocknamona (3/1), Henry's Joy (6/1), Chain Of Beacons (8/1), Solid Strike (10/1), Bulls Head (16/1)

The win of EUREU DU BOULAY at Catterick last time came on the back of an impressive round of jumping and he may be able to follow up. Virnon is also penalised and appears to have a good chance of following up his Southwell win with Henry’s Joy and Knocknamona another duo who have been knocking on the door of late. The trainer of Solid Strike (Paul Collins) won this race last year with Dica and he should be noted for a market move.