You Are Both 27 Today Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 35.9s

Exxaro^b,t⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117| D

5/1

Unreliable type who has slipped back below his last winning mark following wind surgery; followed a good run with a below-par one last time (pulled-up). Record already an inconsistent one but capable off this mark if the mood suits him.

Form: 2365-3P

Little Windmill^p,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 115| CD

5/1

Capable of winning over fences as a 6-34 record proves but isn't the most straightforward and is prone to having his off and well as on days. Very much off the pace last time but capable of bouncing back although this mark remains a tough one.

Form: 22-P23P

Forever My Friend^b²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 115

33/1

Looked rusty last time after a 12-month break and without his usual blinkers (they return here) when a distant fifth at Worcester earlier in the month. Capable of winning something like this bit needs to make a considerable step forward.

Form: 6/0124-5

Fifty Shades⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112| BF| CD

9/4

One of the more reliable types in his and a C&D winner to boot he's won twice since recording that victory last summer proving himself over staying trips. Seen to advantage last time but second suggested he could cope with this sort of mark.

Form: 2141-32

Flying Verse^b,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis| OR: 109

8/1

Hurdles winner over staying trips who had looked rather unfortunate not to add to his tally in that sphere this year (second twice). Made an appalling start to his career over fences at Ffos Las looking laboured and hesitant; can only be watched.

Form: 452-255

Gamain^b³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 106| CD

13/2

One of a number of quirky types in this who despite two wins over fences in the spring that came via an ease in grade and an easy contest has failed to convince since. Returns to fences after a spin over hurdles last time; has some convincing to do.

Form: 9311-48

Our Reward^v¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Hicks⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 105| D

7/2

Back to winning ways off the back of a break over hurdles at Fontwell in May under today's rider but has run deplorably twice since returned to fences. Lower in the weights in this sphere but failed to complete last time; faces pace pressure.

Form: 325-16U

Forecasts

Fifty Shades (9/4), Our Reward (7/2), Exxaro (5/1), Little Windmill (5/1), Gamain (13/2), Flying Verse (8/1), Forever My Friend (33/1)

Looking through this contest it’s not hard to find some protagonists with erratic form who are capable of blowing hot and very cold. C&D winners Little Windmill and Gamain would be good examples of that category in this race both coming here off the back of a well below-par performance although the former has bounced back from poor runs before. Exxaro now resides on a tempting mark given some past performances but he to needs to bounce back along with My Reward who hasn’t convinced back over fences. FIFTY SHADES is by elimination the safest prospect any of his last three runs, if repeated, being good enough to win this.