H R Smith Group Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 3.9s

Aubusson⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127| D

3/1

Four-time career winner (three over hurdles), though not since 2015 chase success at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy). Outclass in Cross County at Cheltenham last month, unlikely to give weight and a beating to rivals here.

Form: 2457P9

Electron Bleu³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 127

25/1

Fairly useful winner over fences in France, though final run there was a poor one in January. Modest third in Kelso novice hurdle on stable debut. Should have more to come over fences.

Form: 1-S5F33

Jaunty Flyer^t¹⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

9/4

Lightly-raced heavy ground novice hurdle winner at Catterick in January 2018. Well-held in pair of handicap after and inauspicious start to chasing career at Chepstow and Ascot late last year (twice distant fourth). May do better.

Form: 3143-44

Master Burbidge^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121

13/2

3-10 over fences and game second behind easy winner at Newbury in March over slightly shorter trip. Entitled to have eyes on this prize with repeat showing.

Form: 352652

Vendredi Trois^p¹⁷³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 117

5/1

Placed on all five starts after winning over 2m7f at Worcester (good) in June last year; suited by ground and trip and on fair mark, though does tend to need a run.

Form: 123323

Hey Bill^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 111| CD

3/1

Seemingly still on an upward curve when holding on gamely to win this race last year, hasn't really happened in six starts this season (ran best race here) but 9lb below last year's winning mark as a consequence. Big run possible.

Form: 6U6454

Forecasts

Jaunty Flyer (9/4), Aubusson (3/1), Hey Bill (3/1), Vendredi Trois (5/1), Master Burbidge (13/2), Electron Bleu (25/1)

Any money behind the reappearing Vendredi Trois would be noted and he's got form to go well but he does tend to need a run and, for that reason, MASTER BURBRIDGE is favoured. He travelled well at Newbury last time before finishing second and will have solid claims if taking to this new trip. Last year's winner Hey Bill is on a great mark should be rediscover his best form.