RaceBets Get A 50 Welcome Bonus Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 7m 3.80s

Solid Strike³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 104

9/1

Most likely found the extended 2m3f trip here (soft) on Boxing Day on the sharp side and should strip fitter for that seasonal reappearance; 0-7 under rules (4-13 in PTP's).

Form: 1/5363-5

Achill Road Boy^b¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 102| D

7/2

Not easy to catch right, but bolted up in first-time cheekpieces at Kelso last time (2m7f+, good). That was a career-best effort (in a weak race) and he will need another to defy a 6lb rise; stays 3m2f; shortlist material.

Form: U33421

A Tail Of Intrigue³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 102

5/1

PTP winner over 3m on good ground at Howick in November. Promising 5½L fourth in a big field 3m handicap chase at Exeter (heavy) on stable debut a month ago; useful conditional jockey in the saddle.

Form: FPPP-14

Late Date³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101| CD

11/2

Pulled up in two of his three starts over fences (both times at Hexham), yet dictated the pace and made all when landing a gamble over C&D (soft) in between; 3lb higher in the weights; handled good ground over hurdles.

Form: 665-P1P

Dartford Warbler³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 91

6/1

Veteran who sprung a 20/1 surprise under positive handling from Henry Brooke at Hexham in June (3m, good); has also saved his better efforts for that track since and although competitively weighted could find a few of the others stronger.

Form: 714373

Houndscourt^p,t¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 90| C

12/1

5-31 over fences, including as a three-time winner at this track in 2014/15 (2m5f); back on song of late winning on a couple of occasions at Market Rasen (3m); 5lb higher today (rated 90) with stamina to prove at 3m2f.

Form: 60B131

Kovera^v⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 86| BF| CD

11/4

C&D winner (won by 18L) from a 7lb lower mark in November and followed up in a game and determined manner over hurdles at Newcastle (3m) eight days later; disappointing going right-handed latest (Wincanton); no surprise if he bounces back.

Form: 55211P

Forecasts

Kovera (11/4), Achill Road Boy (7/2), A Tail Of Intrigue (5/1), Late Date (11/2), Dartford Warbler (6/1), Solid Strike (9/1), Houndscourt (12/1)

The introduction of cheekpieces worked the oracle for Achill Road Boy at Kelso a fortnight ago. Proven over this longer trip and from just a 6lb higher mark, he holds a realistic chance of following up. However, the market will reflect that fact and there are a couple of others worthy of consideration. A Tail Of Intrigue is only a second ever Sedgefield runner for Powys trainer Katy Price and this winning pointer is in the very capable hands of 7lb claimer Rex Dingle. However, a preference is for the hardy C&D winner KOVERA. If electing to simply ignore his latest run at Wincanton (right-handed), he can be considered as reasonably treated off bottom-weight.