Willingham Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 4m 16.5s

Chozen^h¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120| D

10/3

Has done very well since going chasing, winning either side of a fall when travelling strongly at Newcastle in November. Good effort to score at Ffos Las earlier this month and should make a bold bid to follow up.

Form: 166-1U1

Holryale^p,t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| D

7/2

Won novice handicap on chasing bow at Worcester last summer but hasn't looked the same horse in four starts this term since undergoing wind surgery. Dropping down the weights but has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 12P3P6

Larch Hill¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113| CD

13/8

Landed Warwick handicap hurdle in January and made a winning chase debut over C&D last time despite pulling hard and refusing to settle early on. Leading chance with 6lb rise looking fair enough.

Form: P47171

Opechee¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: G Sheehan| T: L Egerton| OR: 97

10/1

Landed Stratford h'cap chase last summer for David Bridgwater but mainly disappointing since, including when pulled up last time on first start for current yard. Eased 3lb and jockey booking is interesting but others are much preferred.

Form: 424PP3

Dallas Cowboy¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: T J FitzGerald| OR: 94| BF

9/2

Failed by just a neck to score over C&D on penultimate start and probably ran out of steam over half a mile further here last time when third and a beaten favourite. Gets weight all round so won't be far away.

Form: 45P423

Non-Runners

Endless Credit¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 9

T: L Egerton J: Mr Aiden Blakemore

Forecasts

Larch Hill (13/8), Chozen (10/3), Holryale (7/2), Dallas Cowboy (9/2), Opechee (10/1), Endless Credit (20/1)

LARCH HILL is fancied to follow up his recent C&D success, especially if proving more amenable to restraint in the early stages. He promises to be a better chaser than hurdler. Top weight Chozen is a big danger and is arguably unlucky not to come here unbeaten in three chase outings. He should make a bold bid to give weight and a beating to the seleciton. Dallas Cowboy goes well here and gets plenty of weight all round, while Endless Credit may do better now returned to chasing.