Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 3m 57.3s

Gino Trail^p¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 152| D

14/1

Likeable veteran who gives his all from the front. Jumped out to his left on reappearance at Sandown this month having undergone wind op during his break, but still held on for second in decent race. Player once more.

Form: 12123-2

Bigmartre^p⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 146| D

2/1

Useful frontrunner when on song, but can sulk a bit if not getting the lead. Grade 2 winner at Ayr last year (only two completed) but handicapper does look to have his measure at present and not certain to get his own way here.

Form: 271-6P4

Magic Saint⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142

6/5

Lightly-raced and probably has improvement in him, never really looked that into it and ran on late after being held up in 2m3f (soft) Ascot race before Christmas. Has to be considered though, coming from top yard that do so well here.

Form: 1135-25

Azzuri^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| D

8/1

Useful dual purpose performer and winner of four of his nine chase starts. Tailed off this month at Sandown on return from a break/debut for Dan Skelton. May be straighter this time, watch betting.

Form: 6431-18

Admiral's Secret^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 125| CD

9/2

Was raised 5lb for C&D success on Boxing Day, where he made smooth progress having been held up. However, he refused to race last month at Haydock, and has to prove his temperament, amongst other things, now.

Form: P11-21R

Forecasts

Magic Saint (6/5), Bigmartre (2/1), Admiral's Secret (9/2), Azzuri (8/1), Gino Trail (14/1)

Gino Trail showed he retain all his enthusiasm on his reappearance at Sandown and, despite being the elder statesman, isn't going to be easy to head in this field. The danger is that both Bigmartre and Azzuri may be pestering him on the front end and that could be telling. Admiral's Secret was impressive here on Boxing Day and while a 5lb rise might not stop him, the fact he pulled stumps and refused to race since at Haydock has to be a worry. Paul Nicholls has a 29% strike rate here over the last 12 months and, with his team now firing, MAGIC SAINT can leave his pre-Christmas form behind to open his British account.