Heineken Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 42.1s

Forever My Friend^b²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 12-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| C

12/1

Course winner (back in 2015) who has produced a rather mixed bag of late; still looked a fair way below his best when last seen at Newton Abbot in July. Last win came in a Hunter chase; far from reliable, faces a stiff task as a veteran now.

Form: 0124-54

Day Of Roses⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 105| D

5/2

Ran consistently for the most part when with Jeremy Scott (four-time chase winner for that yard). Bounced back to something like his previous form after running poorly on debut for this stable; player on that evidence, leading rider booked.

Form: P14-142

Nortonthorpelegend³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: R Menzies| OR: 98| D

9/4

Gradually regained the decent form he showed earlier in his career winning back-to-back staying handicap chases either side of the New Year. Second over C&D last time to split two of today's rivals; made most, leading candidate at the weights now.

Form: 6114-22

Pretty Miss Mahler^v³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R D Day| T: M Todhunter| OR: 97| CD

4/1

Third over C&D on her latest start to two of today's rivals bouncing back to form in a first-time visor (retained). Still 2lb below her only winning chase mark; can get behind, needs the race to pan out right for her; should be involved.

Form: 534-343

Pena Dorada^p³⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 92| CD

7/2

Given a chance by the handicapper and duly recorded her third C&D win last month defeating three of today's rivals. Not the most consistent though despite remaining with handicap scope; no surprise if that form is reversed this time around.

Form: PF-2771

Shaiyzar^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Thomas Dowson| T: D Thompson| OR: 86

10/1

Took an age to get off the mark over fences duly doing so at Sedgefield in February (gone close twice prior to that win). Form since has failed to match that level; arrives on the back of a fall after an uncharacteristic error; others appeal more.

Form: 355-42F

Non-Runners

Onlyfoolsownhorses²⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: Micky Hammond J: Alain Cawley

Reckless Behavior²³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: A Sadik J: T J Phelan

Forecasts

Nortonthorpelegend (9/4), Day Of Roses (5/2), Pena Dorada (7/2), Pretty Miss Mahler (4/1), Shaiyzar (10/1), Forever My Friend (12/1), Onlyfoolsownhorses (25/1), Reckless Behavior (25/1)

The key to this race is surely the race over C&D at last month’s meeting won by Pena Dorada who still on his old form lurks on a decent mark and is no stranger to success around here. He’s not however the most consistent and the front-running NORTONTHORPELEGEND who has a 7lb pull at the weights this time may well be able to reverse that form being a consistent and fluent jumping type. Pretty Miss Mahler was third in that contest and she could be involved again although her style of running could see her getting going too late. Day Of Roses with Brian Hughes booked is another in the mix having come back to form for his new yard last time.