bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 3m 50.6s

Double W's²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 142| D

5/2

Returned from almost a year off to rattle off a hat-trick and beat rivals Champagne At Tara and Solar Impulse into second in his last two. 4lb rise for the latest gives aforementioned duo renewed hope but sure to make a bold bid again.

Form: 59/61-11

Champagne At Tara²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 141| CD

9/4

Winner of this race last year and returned to comparable form when a 1½L second behind Double W's last time out where there were excuses for not getting even closer. Very real chance of winning the race again with 3lb pull at the weights.

Form: 26593-2

Mcgroarty^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 139| D

13/2

Won well at Kelso three starts back but comprehensively beaten by re-opposing Double W's in his two subsequent starts. Weight pull here not nearly enough to expect reversal.

Form: F33-145

Solar Impulse^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Dave Crosse| T: Ian Williams| OR: 129| D

7/4

7lb better off today compared to 1L defeat by Double W's at Warwick when last seen domestically yet he has won in France by 20L in the interim. At the weights he may well come out on top this time.

Form: 5U1-221

Non-Runners

Chirico Vallis²⁵⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Solar Impulse (7/4), Champagne At Tara (9/4), Double W's (5/2), Mcgroarty (13/2), Chirico Vallis (16/1)

Having beaten three of these rivals during his hat-trick Double W's may look the obvious selection here but he only beat SOLAR IMPULSE by 1L when they clashed at Warwick and with Ian Williams charge now 7lb better off despite absolutely hacking up in France since he has a fine chance to turn the tables. Also weighted to get at least a lot closer than when second to Double W's latest is the 2018 winner of this race Champagne At Tara.