Ambitions Personnel Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 5m 9.80s

Lil Rockerfeller^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: N B King| OR: 145| D

7/4

Smart staying hurdler/novice chaser runs in handicap for the first time. Will be fit following solid fifth on Flat at Goodwood last month and looks sure to make a bold bid despite steadier of top weight.

Form: 1U3530-

Art Of Payroll^t⁴⁸⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 142| CD

9/2

Useful ex-Irish gelding. Won this race on British debut for current yard two years ago then pulled up three weeks later. Absent seven months prior to excellent second in Grade 2 Cheltenham h'cap chase in April 2018 but not seen since. Chance if fit.

Form: 3P11P2/

Royal Village^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 137| C| D

11/4

3-10 over fences and scored at Uttoxeter in May off 6lb lower. Good second in Listed Summer Plate at Market Rasen last time and runs off same mark. Seems sure to be thereabouts once again.

Form: 136-142

Mighty Stowaway^b,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 133

14/1

Irish raider who won at Thurles and Punchestown last autumn but was disappointing last time in decent Galway Festival handicap chase. Doesn't appear obviously well handicapped but presence here will be seen by many as a tip in itself.

Form: 110-047

Too Many Diamonds⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| CD

7/1

Rattled up C&D hat-trick last summer but went up 19lb in the process and has generally struggled since. Only beaten five lengths in Aintree hurdle on reappearance in June after six-month absence but remains 15lb higher than last chase win.

Form: 22674-5

Northern Beau^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: R P McLernon| T: M Scudamore| OR: 122| D

8/1

Progressive mare who really stuck to her guns when winning bravely at Market Rasen last time off 5lb lower mark. Not an easy mare to pass and has fair claims if on top of her game once again.

Form: 2121-31

Overtoujay^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 113| C| D

22/1

Won over 2m4f at Huntingdon in May and bounced back to form after a poor run when winning here over nearly 2m last time. Raised 8lb but also runs from further 6lb out of the handicap so appears to face a stiff task.

Form: U35-161

Forecasts

Lil Rockerfeller (7/4), Royal Village (11/4), Art Of Payroll (9/2), Too Many Diamonds (7/1), Northern Beau (8/1), Mighty Stowaway (14/1), Overtoujay (22/1)

A good race in prospect for decent prize money. The 2017 winner Art Of Payroll has been sidelined for 487 days so it will be a mighty effort to come out and win this after such an absence, but he is respected. Top weight Lil Rockerfeller should give it a bold spin and a victory on handicap chase bow cannot be ruled out, but in receipt of 8lb ROYAL VILLAGE, second in the Listed Summer Plate last time, just gets the nod. The gallant mare Northern Beau is by no means out of it, but both Irish raider Mighty Stowaway and course specialist Too Many Diamonds needed to raise their games a notch to win.