Edinburgh Gin Kilmany Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 1.20s

Royal Village^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 137| C

5/2

All three of his chase wins have come over marginally shorter trips (does stay 3m), including when beating a Nicky Henderson-trained runner by 2½L at Uttoxeter (2m4f) last month; 6lb higher - welter burden of 12st 6lb more of a concern.

Form: 34136-1

Out Sam^t,v¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

4/1

Winner of the 3m4f Cork National (yielding) under Davy Russell last November; has possibly found himself high enough in the weights since; not overly fluent when beaten knocking on for 30L (fifth) in the Class 2 Perth Gold Cup latest; 2lb lower.

Form: 574P0-5

Katgary^b³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 129| CD

3/1

Exploited a fair handicap mark last month when returning to fences (and winning ways) over C&D (good) in a Class 4 handicap; should remain competitive for that confidence boosting win despite a subsequent 7lb rise.

Form: 4/4634-1

Ned Stark^t⁶³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

5/1

Lightly-raced for his age, and was a Grade 2 winning novice for Alan King back in 2015; joined this stable for £70,000 in May 2016, racing just once since (over hurdles) in September 2017; stablemate of Out Sam.

Form: 68P520/

Viens Chercher^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 125| BF

3/1

Peter Bowen won this race in 2018 with More Buck's and deserves some credit for rejuvenating this 8yo gelding; is guaranteed to race towards the fore; 7lb higher than when beating What A Laugh by 14L at Stratford (2m6½f, good) in March.

Form: 3P/61-32

Rainy City^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J S Goldie| OR: 110| CD

12/1

Has had numerous trainers, namely Paul Nicholls, Iain Jardine and Donald McCain with the one constant being that he seems to enjoy his trips to Perth (12193); beaten 19L by Diablo Du Rouhet over 2m4f here a fortnight ago; others appear stronger.

Form: 44295-3

Forecasts

Royal Village (5/2), Viens Chercher (3/1), Katgary (3/1), Out Sam (4/1), Ned Stark (5/1), Rainy City (12/1)

Another tricky handicap, this time over the larger obstacles. Gordon Elliott saddles two runners with Out Sam preferred to the long-time absent (but once classy) Ned Stark. Royal Village carries a welter burden of 12st 6lb following a recent Uttoxeter win, while Viens Chercher and Rainy City mightn't prove good enough against these opponents. Therefore, despite stepping up in grade from a 7lb higher mark, the advice is to stick with the Donna and Dave Armstrong-owned KATGARY who is 2-3 (1-1 over fences) at the UK's most Northerly venue.