17:05 Wetherby

Thursday 11 April 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:3017:0517:40

Invest With tippertidoo.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 6m 15.20s

Mercers Court¹²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: N B King| OR: 126| D

10/1

Won three times last year and generally proved consistent in 3m chases. At his best on a sound surface and reappears after four month break with conditions to suit. 10lb higher than last winning mark so has it to do though.

Form: 111224

Tanit River^t⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 124| D

8/1

Won at Sandown last season off 1lb lower mark but has point to prove having not ben seen since pulling up at Newbury in January where first-time cheekpieces appeared to prove unsuitable. No headgear this time.

Form: P514-8P

Newtown Lad^b,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 123| BF| D

11/2

Failed to finish in three of first four starts this term then hit the target off falling mark at Chepstow last month. Again ran well when second at Fontwell latest and not out of it despite 3lb rise.

Form: P3UP12

Groundunderrepair^v1⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 122WS

6/1

Returns following wind surgery and wears a visor for the first time too. Hasn't sparkled in three attenmps over fences having won over hurdles last term. Has a bit to prove and eased just 1lb since last poor effort.

Form: 231-537

Silver Man^b²⁸⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 122| D

66/1

Veteran who is a thorough stayer and makes his debut for new connections over a trip expected to be short of his optimum. First start since pulling up in listed chase last summer. May be better for the run.

Form: 10-P56P

Fingerontheswitch^p,t¹⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121| CD

3/1

Won over C&D in November off 6lb lower mark then appeared to run very well when third in listed handicap at Wincanton a few weeks later. Seemingly saved for a spring/summer campaign and should go well if fully fit.

Form: 385413

Blue Kascade³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 117| CD

25/1

Won 3m h'cap chases at Musselburgh and Perth last season but hasn't shown much in two starts this term and pulled up when tailed off last time at Ayr. Hard to recommend.

Form: 6-7124P

Never Up³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115

13/2

Winner of 6-29 races and scored ast time out in heavy ground at Carlisle, staying on well over 2m4f. Tries longer trip here on better ground and is worthy of some consideration off 5lb higher mark.

Form: 32P4-51

Lough Salt^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: R C Guest| OR: 114| CD

11/2

Infrequent winner but has been knocking on the door with places on numerous occasions this season. Runner-up at this track three times in his last five starts and looks ready made for each-way punters.

Form: 523224

Bafana Blue^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 101| D

12/1

Won at Hexham in October off 2lb lower mark and wasn't beaten far at all at Musselburgh two starts ago.,Poor effort last time though at Newcastle when dropped back in trip so step back up looks the right move.

Form: 526P38

Forecasts

Fingerontheswitch (3/1), Lough Salt (11/2), Newtown Lad (11/2), Groundunderrepair (6/1), Never Up (13/2), Tanit River (8/1), Mercers Court (10/1), Bafana Blue (12/1), Blue Kascade (25/1), Silver Man (66/1)

FINGERONTHESWITCH ran a blinder when third in a decent listed chase at Wincanton in the autumn and having won after a break in the past is fancied to defy his five-month absence. Newtown Lad is creeping up the weights but is in form and should go well, while Mercers Court and Never Up are others with claims in an interesting contest. Lough Salt should also be on the premises once again but finds winning very hard indeed.