Magners Irish Cider Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 6m 35.9s

Strong Resemblance^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 121| BF| CD

11/2

Looked as though the handicapper had just caught up with him at Wetherby last time, after a fine run of form. Another 5lb rise won't help, and it will be some effort now to defy top weight in this field.

Form: 112113

Blue Kascade⁵⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: A M Thomson| OR: 119| C| D

50/1

Well held at Kelso last time on his reappearance from a break, but needed a run to get going last year. Still on a competitive mark and could be a different proposition, although soft ground not ideal.

Form: 16-7124

Well Above Par⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 118

6/1

Should be suited by 3m and was not far away from just 4lb lower two starts ago. Has to put a lesser effort behind him, but unexposed and interesting.

Form: 2F6-127

Capard King⁶⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115| CD

9/4

Made the frame several times last season for Jonjo O'Neill but kept finding something too good, before form slid. Changed hands since last seen in December, on a handy mark if new stable can revive him. Acts on soft.

Form: 238-45F

Glittering Love³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 114| CD

11/4

Enjoying a tremendous season, having won at Hexham, and then twice over C&D on soft since then. Up another 8lb, but hard to imagine that he won't be very competitive again.

Form: 114-111

Buffalo Ballet^p¹⁰⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 10-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105

14/1

0-12 over fences, but has plenty of solid form to his name. Returned from an absence and wind surgery with a below par effort last time, and is hard to fancy for win purposes.

Form: 52224-7

No No Mac^t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 100| C| D

6/1

Won here a couple of years ago (2m4f, soft), but powers on the wane since then. Latest effort was a step back in the right direction, but not easy to see him being up to winning this.

Form: 487703

Forecasts

Capard King (9/4), Glittering Love (11/4), Strong Resemblance (11/2), Well Above Par (6/1), No No Mac (6/1), Buffalo Ballet (14/1), Blue Kascade (50/1)

An interesting stayers' chase where GLITTERING LOVE has to step up again, but he is in such good form that he should be followed until beaten. With the track and conditions again to suit he gets the thumbs up. Strong Resemblance is respected, and his latest run is a reminder that sooner or later the handicapper will catch up. Capard King is interesting from this mark if a change of scenery has helped, while Well Above Par is not ruled out.