Carling Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 14.1s

Bally Longford³²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127| D

14/1

Has faced a couple of stiff tasks this spring but has acquitted himself well enough, but the worry is that you've got to go back to 2015 to find the last time he got his head in front. Has his chance here, but clearly not one for maximum faith.

Form: 425245

Saintemilion^t¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

11/8

Made all to score at Exeter last week, jumping very well and finding plenty for pressure. Penalty to carry for that but clearly in great heart and with conditions ideal again, looks the one to beat.

Form: 43/P021

Royal Plaza¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 124

40/1

Poor over hurdles when last seen but almost won over fences the time before, almost making all and only caught late on. May well get own way up front again here and if fit after a break, chances off this mark.

Form: 214520

Tikkinthebox^t¹⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 118| C

9/1

Twice a winner last summer but jumping not always foot perfect and this trip is an unknown as well. Has gone okay after a break before though, which offers some hope, but on balance, others preferred.

Form: 17133P

Solar Impulse^p⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Dave Crosse| T: Ian Williams| OR: 117| BF

7/1

Glory days long behind him now but still capable of form at this level when the mood takes him. Spotted travelling well at Wetherby last time and will strip fitter here, but the worry is this trip, as to date he's been best at shorter.

Form: 22524-5

Enola Gay²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117| BF

2/1

Paying a bit for his consistency as he's finding it hard to win, and the handicapper is reluctant to drop him in the weights. Not hard to see a similar situation here, with him finding one or two too good yet running well.

Form: 0-32254

Lickpenny Larry^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 97

20/1

Ran well enough in a better race than this at Sandown last time, backing up his Chepstow win the time before, and he comes here in good form. Needs a drop of rain to help his cause but less questions to answer than a couple, and should go well.

Form: 11-2512

Forecasts

Saintemilion (11/8), Enola Gay (2/1), Solar Impulse (7/1), Tikkinthebox (9/1), Bally Longford (14/1), Lickpenny Larry (20/1), Royal Plaza (40/1)

SAINTEMILLION looks the one to beat after an impressive win at Exeter on his latest start and a similar display of jumping could have a few of these in trouble pretty early on. He looks the improver in the field and should be tough to beat. Enola Gay keeps running well without winning and can ht the places once more, with Lickpenny Larry possibly the best of the rest. Solar Impulse would have made much more appeal back at two miles.