Johnston Smillie Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 46.8s

Orioninverness^p,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108

6/4

In decent enough form at present, jumped better when fourth (not beaten far) at Ayr last time and these conditions seem to suit. Probable handicapper has him where he wants him but may get an easy lead here, which could help.

Form: F13224

Fly Rory Fly^p1,t⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107| D

3/1

Winner of just one of his 15 starts to date, and isn't progressing over fences at present, well beaten off again at Newcastle last time and although this is easier, he needs to get his act together. Change of headgear but still plenty to prove.

Form: 94-2644

Expresstime¹⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant| OR: 102

12/1

Has achieved little in five start under Rules and did little better when second (in a three-runner affair) at Newcastle last time. Early days and she could improve but in truth she has to if she's to take a hand here.

Form: 23PF-32

Charlie Snow Angel^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 94| C

11/1

Not the easiest to win with and rather blotted his copybook with a refusal to race last time. On the plus side, has won here and is fairly enough handicapped, but overall appears on the downgrade, and others preferred.

Form: P55P3R

Left Back^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 80

5/2

Did win a point-to-point around this time last year but has shown little in five starts under Rules, including in handicaps last two. A fall last time will hardly have helped his confidence and is best watched until showing more.

Form: 23-665F

Forecasts

Orioninverness (6/4), Left Back (5/2), Fly Rory Fly (3/1), Charlie Snow Angel (11/1), Expresstime (12/1)

With a few of these having something to prove at present, this is best left to ORIONINVERNESS, who probably has little in hand of the handicapper but is at least consistent and likely to have his own way up front. Fly Rory Fly may do better for a change of headgear but is still a risky one at present. Charlie Snow Angel didn't want to know last time and is even riskier, but may have chances if on a going day. Expresstime is young enough to improve.