Whitley Groundworks Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 4.7s

Utility⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum McKinnes⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 119| CD

5/1

Fell last time out but was still in contention and it was too early to say whether his stamina had hit the wall after his lay-off since January. The quick reappearance says all is well but he might still need a confidence boosting round.

Form: R1624-F

Vancouver⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117| CD

6/1

Last win was in a selling hurdle but worth bearing in mind he went very close over C&D on his penultimate start. Represents and in-form yard and is likely to have big say in events back over fences.

Form: 6-23325

Mercian King^t1³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 117| D

11/1

4-22 over fences and reasonably well treated on the pick of his form. Probably needed the run when brushed aside over timber at Southwell last month but has always been a better chaser. Worth a betting check at least.

Form: 61203-6

New Millennium^b1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117| D

7/2

Set to race from 7lb above his only previous winning mark over fences but has been consistent this season and has never yet failed to complete. Firm ground suits best but might find more with the blinkers applied for the first time.

Form: 4182-42

Tikkinthebox^p,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 113| BF| D

9/2

Well backed when third last time out (finished 14l adrift of Vancouver over C&D) and needs to prove he can raise his game again. 2lb below his last winning mark but not been at his best in two starts since wind surgery.

Form: 33P4-P3

Malangen^b,t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

2/1

Unexposed over fences and posted a respectable effort when second at Market Rasen last time. That form is ordinary but does provide a platform. Might just need a bit more experience over the larger obstacles though.

Form: 11-5362

Forecasts

Malangen (2/1), New Millennium (7/2), Tikkinthebox (9/2), Utility (5/1), Vancouver (6/1), Mercian King (11/1)

VANCOUVER was a very creditable second over C&D on his penultimate start and is much better than he showed last time out (over hurdles). The return to this course and reverting to chasing could be key and he's worth another chance in a race of this nature; especially given the run of good form shown by recent runners from his yard. New Millennium has a good attitude and might be perked up by the application of blinkers for the first time. He can make this a good test for the selection. As can Mercian King, who is another coming back to chasing and cannot be ruled out when the pick of his form is taken into account.