Unibet Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 1.7s

Josses Hill^p³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| C

5/1

Class act in his day won Grade Twos over fences (2016) and hurdles (2014). Form rather tailed off in winless 17/18 season but decent enough return in Exeter Grade Two last month. Never won beyond 2m4f and welter burden doesn't help.

Form: 5P4P-04

Barney Dwan^p1⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: N D Fehily| T: F O'Brien| OR: 141| BF| D

3/1

Dual novice winner last season was fifth to high class Charbel first time out before sound effort upped to 3m at Bangor when third. Same mark here which is 5lb lower than hurdles rating so big threat and cheekpieces may eek more out.

Form: 114F-53

Cold March^p²³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 137

20/1

Not win since 2017 when with Venetia Williams and only four starts since for this yard. Pulled up and well beaten in three starts over fences last season so hard to be confident even if mark is now workable.

Form: P3/3P0-7

Minella Daddy^b,t1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 135| D

7/1

Two chase wins came in 2016. Solid form last season but beaten 56L and 37L in two races this term so now hard to optimistic. Addition of tongue tie and blinkers in attempt to revive.

Form: 20P-270

Ballykan^p⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| BF| D

5/1

Twice second over C&D in last two starts of last season including in this race. Same finishing position on return at Fakenham in October and arrives on same mark again. Should as usual run a solid race but others may be better treated.

Form: 30422-2

Bally Longford^t¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| BF

9/1

Newbury winner last March has run well enough the last twice after a tough ask on reappearance at Cheltenham. Same mark as fifth of seven last time but that over 2m so better chance now upped in trip.

Form: PP1-425

Glen Rocco¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 124| D

11/4

Lightly raced sort gained first win over fences over 2m5½f at Fontwell. Third next at Sandown before rallying second here over 2m4½f latest. Won a 3m point and could improve significantly for step up here so has to have a big chance.

Form: 53-U132

Forecasts

Glen Rocco (11/4), Barney Dwan (3/1), Ballykan (5/1), Josses Hill (5/1), Minella Daddy (7/1), Bally Longford (9/1), Cold March (20/1)

GLEN ROCCO caught the eye here last time finishing strongly for second over 2m4½f and he should relish this step up to 3m so gets the vote for Nick Gifford. The biggest danger may well be Barney Dwan who ran well last time out and he remains on an appealing mark over fences. Josses Hill isn't getting any younger but has enough class to make his presence felt.