Derek Pardy 90th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 4m 4.6s

Mcgroarty^t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 140| D

10/3

Lightly-race for eight-years-old, scored last month at Kelso (2m1f, good; 1/1f) though since held in stronger race at Warwick from this mark (won by Double W's). Has work to do on that evidence.

Form: 1F33-14

Champagne At Tara⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140| D

6/1

Not the most reliable (3-19 over fences) and sometimes temperamental, but won twice last summer at Aintree and Uttoxeter (both 2m, good). Has faced some stiff tasks since but ran well in Red Rum at Aintree's National Meeting (third) and considered.

Form: 126593-

Double W's¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: L P Aspell| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 138

2/1

Back-to-back successes at Perth and Warwick over this trip since returning from a year off. Idled in front last time and much-respected from 5lb higher mark here (has won from higher mark before).

Form: 059/61-1

Wells De Lune^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 137| D

6/1

Pacesetter who was in tremendous form last summer, rattling off a four-timer at his beloved Cartmel (three over hurdles), though pulled up here in September chasing. Recent hurdling efforts give cause for concern and opposable.

Form: 11P9-20

Dandridge^p,t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 126

6/1

Decent 2m handicapper in Ireland, chase record now reads 3-23. Couple of fair Kempton efforts this spring (2m4½f/2m2f) either side of laboured effort in Ayr Listed race. Not discounted back down in distance.

Form: 67/328-3

Valseur Du Granval^p,t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 124

7/1

10-year-old has established himself as something of a Ludlow specialist, with two of five chase wins at the track and recent figures 212 in handicaps chases. Different challenge here but gets on well with Paddy Brennan and due respect.

Form: 76321-2

Forecasts

Double W's (2/1), Mcgroarty (10/3), Champagne At Tara (6/1), Dandridge (6/1), Wells De Lune (6/1), Valseur Du Granval (7/1)

Champagne At Tara posted a much better effort at Aintree last time and is respected, with the forecast better ground a plus, but he's not one to set your watch by and remains 5lb above his previous winning mark. Preference is for hat-trick seeking DOUBLE W'S. He gave up ground at the start last time at Warwick and was idling in front near the end. There's more in the tank and he can continue winning ways. Dandridge and Valseur Du Granval can battle out for minors, with the latter needing to prove he can show his best away from Ludlow.