Weatherbys Stallion Book Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 3.9s

Fox Appeal^t,v³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 132| CD

5/2

Veteran chaser who does have a C&D win to his name; running consistently until overdoing the forcing tactics last time at Kempton. Can be susceptible to mistakes so these easier fences will suit; 9lb below his last winning mark.

Form: P4-2326

Cresswell Legend^t¹²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 132| BF| C| DWS

5/6

Useful hurdler (twice a winner here over timber) who has some scope over fences (still unexposed), twice runner-up. Failed when favourite in a big-field chase at Ascot when last seen; had wind surgery since, still resides on a good mark.

Form: 12P-229

Henllan Harri^b,t⁸⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 132| D

3/1

Last two wins have come in valuable handicap chases (Bet365 Gold Cup and Perth Gold Cup) off slightly lower marks. Would have needed the run when last seen (had 6 months off); first try in veterans event; likely to show more here.

Form: 6-U712P

Non-Runners

Marcilhac⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: Miss V Williams J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Cresswell Legend (5/6), Fox Appeal (5/2), Henllan Harri (3/1), Marcilhac (8/1)

This looks a good opportunity for CRESSWELL LEGEND to make up for lost time having shown himself to be a useful hurdler in the past who was building a decent chasing career until needing a wind op. Prior to that surgery he had taken the runner up slot behind two horses have gone onto much better exploits although he needs to put a quiet run last time out behind him. Fox Appeal is always vulnerable to mistakes despite having shown up well here before and it’s Henllan Harri who looks as though he’ll be the bigger danger with the spring usually see him blossom into a decent animal as his big race wins would suggest.