Like Racing TV On Facebook Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 15.70s

Lovely Job^v1⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137

6/1

3-11 over fences. Hasn't won since a 2m7f (good) success at Taunton in the first half of last season, but bettered that at Chepstow from 1lb higher in October. Disappointed next time, but goes well fresh and visor could also help. Claims.

Form: 1214-45

Straidnahanna²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 131| CD

11/4

Has earned four of his five chase wins around here, and is now just 1lb higher than the most recent of those in a similar race 12-months ago. Comes into this on the back of his best run since, and should give a very good account.

Form: P1P-634

Special Prep^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 125

5/1

Built on a couple of promising efforts with a first chase success at Doncaster last time (3m2f, good), when showing marked improvement (first time cheekpieces/tongue-tie combination). Up 9lb for that 12L success and can again go well.

Form: 41-3821

Solstice Star^p,t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: M Keighley| OR: 123

11/2

0-7 over fences. Had been in good form over hurdles, winning successive races at Chepstow in the autumn, but handicapper had caught up with him last time. Tries to exploit a lower chase mark here, but will need improvement.

Form: 64-8117

Ballycrystal^t1⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: B Ellison| OR: 122WS

6/1

Bumper and dual novice hurdle winner who won a Carlisle novices' chase (2m4f, good to soft) last March. Largely on the slide since, but returns from wind op with tongue-tie fitted and would be very interesting on this mark if supported.

Form: 21P-695

Little Bruce^p⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 122

5/2

In-and-out since returning from a summer break, winning at Hexham over fences in November, and running well at both Newcastle and more recently here (3m6f). If anything, shorter trip might help. Claims.

Form: 41FP22

Forecasts

Little Bruce (5/2), Straidnahanna (11/4), Special Prep (5/1), Solstice Star (11/2), Lovely Job (6/1), Ballycrystal (6/1)

The race of the day on paper and LITTLE BRUCE could take advantage of the drop back to this trip, after running well here last time. Ballycrystal would be interesting if supported, while Special Prep is entitled to plenty of respect after a sizeable improvement last time. Straidnahanna adds to the contest with his excellent track record, while Lovely Job can also give a good account off top weight, now freshened up.