Watt Fences North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 42.53s

Sharp Response¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 134| C

7/4

1-1 at this venue and looks to have been lined up for a crack at this, good ground suits so last couple of efforts on softer easily forgiven and if returning to the form which saw him win easily at Carlisle in October, has a big chance here.

Form: 1-41844

Same Circus^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132| C

11/2

Twice a winner from four starts here, so no issues with the track, stayed on well to score at Bangor last time out but 7lb rise and quicker ground leave her with questions to answer here. Not dismissed if handling the conditions.

Form: 14-5F41

Western Jo^t¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 125

20/1

Had a good time of it last year, winning twice for this stable and looking progressive, even at the age of nine. Would have needed recent outing at Haydock after absence but ground a bigger concern, with wins coming on soft/heavy.

Form: 24131-6

Little Bruce^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 122

5/1

Looked a horse on the up when beating Militarian (winner again since) at Hexham in November, mixed bag since then but nothing wrong with latest second at Newcastle. May have more to come, should handle the ground and will need to be caught.

Form: 1-41FP2

Vieux Lille^p,t1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 120

7/1

On a fair mark on the best of his form (for Philip Hobbs) but some time since he got his head in front, and comeback effort at Newbury last month was hardly one full of promise. Yard 2-4 with their runners here though, so worthy of respect on that.

Form: P/645P-7

Greyed A²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 116| BF

11/4

Knows how to win when the opportunity arises but normally takes on lesser company than this and looks pretty much handicapped to the hilt at present. Should stay, but likely to find others a bit classier.

Form: 11P21-2

Forecasts

Sharp Response (7/4), Greyed A (11/4), Little Bruce (5/1), Same Circus (11/2), Vieux Lille (7/1), Western Jo (20/1)

Same Circus and Sharp Response both seem to go well here and deserve respect, but the quick ground may be a worry for Same Circus. Western Jo is another that might be happier with softer underfoot conditions, so a chance is taken that LITTLE BRUCE's stamina holds out as he could have these in trouble with a bold front-running display. Vieux Lille seems to be regressive but Jamie Snowden's record here with his rare visitors cannot be ignored.