Doom Bar Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 54.4s

Gala Ball²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144| C

13/8

Ended 2017 with back-to-back C&D seconds here and after almost two years off he started right where he left off with a second here in the valuable Greatwood Gold Cup. 3lb higher here but almost certain to improve plenty, big chance.

Form: 23122/2

Valdez²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 143| C

5/2

One place and 2L behind Gala Ball latest when third in the C&D Greatwood Gold Cup. 2lb better off with that rival here but given he was having his third run of the season and rival having first in two years reversal unlikely.

Form: F/3U-P43

Cobra De Mai^p,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| D

7/1

Good strike rate over fences and gained second win this season latest when winning over this distance at Leicester. Upped 4lb now and struggled off this mark in the past but that may not be the case here.

Form: 914P71

Got Away^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 138| D

10/1

Upped 2lb for 1L defeat by Cobra De Mai latest at Leicester which means she's 2lb better off with that rival. Very hard to split the pair then but given she's won off this mark in the past she must be respected.

Form: PF-P512

Foxtail Hill²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131| D

7/2

Won a decent contest at Cheltenham early last season but not in the same form this term (four starts). Fourth at Warwick last month a step in the right direction however and sufficiently well treated now to merit respect.

Form: 00-3754

Forecasts

Gala Ball (13/8), Valdez (5/2), Foxtail Hill (7/2), Cobra De Mai (7/1), Got Away (10/1)

Considering his absence GALA BALL ran remarkably well to finish second here in a more valuable contest than this last time out. That form alone would give him every chance but surely he should come on for the run too so is confidently picked here. Foxtail Hill ran better at Warwick latest and the fact he's now 9lb below his last winning mark can't be forgotten. Got Away is and Cobra De Mai are very closely matched in a race where none of the five are easily dismissed.