888Sport Grimthorpe Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 29.3s

Rocky's Treasure⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 149| BF| C

2/1

Progressive novice; made all when a 17L winner of a Grade 2 contest here in December (3m, good) having previously mixed it with the likes of Santini; 2-2 at this track; worthy of immense respect now stepping into handicap company off top-weight.

Form: 111213

Dingo Dollar^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 148| BF| C| D

3/1

Wore his heart on his sleeve with a brave performance in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in December (third) but not quite on song when a beaten favourite in the Sky Bet Chase latest (3m, good); conditions fine; high in the handicap.

Form: 112-436

Barney Dwan^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: F O'Brien| OR: 140

5/1

Two-time Musselburgh winner (2m4f-3m) as a novice but has found life a fair degree tougher since introduced to handicapping; finished a weakening third (beaten 33L) over 3m under similar conditions at Kempton in January; stamina doubts.

Form: 14F-533

Looking Well^p¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N G Richards| OR: 139| C| D

9/2

Would've played a significant part in the Borders National (4m) at Kelso in December but for departing at the third last; back to winning ways in a veterans' race (Class 2) over 3m here recently; fair chance despite a 6lb rise in the weights.

Form: UP-39F1

Brian Boranha³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: P D Niven| OR: 137

12/1

Looked to be a stout stayer when winning a substandard Durham National (3m5f, good) at Sedgefield in October; given a break thereafter; struggled on his return in the Sky Bet Chase (3m) in January; conditions fine but this looks too competitive.

Form: 1-10318

Beau Du Brizais⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135| D

16/1

Kept busy during the early months of the season (Sep-Dec) but clearly on an upward curve; arrives seeking a hat-trick following hard fought victories at Ludlow (3m-3m1f+); more required in a stronger race (off 6lb higher); has an excellent attitude.

Form: 632311

Chidswell⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 127

18/1

Stablemate of Looking Well; not always the most consistent of horses and can take a few liberties at his fences. However, he took advantage of an ideal opportunity to score at Kelso (2m7f, good) in January; feasibly handicapped off just 4lb higher.

Form: 33P-531

Forecasts

Rocky's Treasure (2/1), Dingo Dollar (3/1), Looking Well (9/2), Barney Dwan (5/1), Brian Boranha (12/1), Beau Du Brizais (16/1), Chidswell (18/1)

This traditional end of season South Yorkshire highlight still features a plethora of classy chasers despite the unseasonal conditions. Looking Well is eligible for veterans' races nowadays and he made amends for his unfortunate Borders National mishap when scoring readily over 3m here ten-days ago, and given his proven stamina reserves should be on the premises despite a 6lb rise in the weights. However, the slightly more appealing option is the talented novice ROCKY'S TREASURE. Defending an unbeaten record on Town Moor (2-2) and with ground conditions very much favourable, he's more than capable of shouldering top-weight of 11st12lb on his first venture into handicap company.