Olly Murphy Racing Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 6.00s

A Little Magic^h,t⁶⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| DWS

5/1

Won minor contests at Market Rasen and Kempton in spring 2017. Had a wind-op and missed his intended reappearance in September. Likely to need this.

Form: 1131/1F-

Bandsman¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| CD

11/4

Won two races last spring but has returned from an absence with two dreadful performances. More evidence is required that he retains some ability.

Form: 11328P

Lieutenant Colonel^b,t⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120| D

14/1

Dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles but pulled up on three of his four starts for this yard and well-beaten on the other.

Form: 76PP3P

Generous Day³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 115| BF| CD

6/4

C&D winner in January but suffered a 10¾L reversal at the hands of the runner-up at Wetherby next time. Few got into a fast run race that day and he should do better here.

Form: 43-4217

Vocaliser^b1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 111| D

4/1

Failed to fulfil Sandown promise last time in a poorer race than this. Blinkers on this time and yard struggling for winners.

Form: P-0664P

Non-Runners

Dustin Des Mottes²⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Generous Day (6/4), Dustin Des Mottes (2/1), Bandsman (11/4), Vocaliser (4/1), A Little Magic (5/1), Lieutenant Colonel (14/1)

DUSTIN DES MOTTES and Generous Day are the only two who have acquitted themselves with any credit lately and both carry some reservations. The latter failed to give his running last time but had won his previous outing over C&D and the return here into a less competitive race may be enough. The selection probably wants it softer but this would be his easiest task since arriving from France. His close second to Azzerti at Ascot looks more than good enough, particularly as he was not suited to racing right-handed and he was not disgraced in a Grade 3 last time.