13:20 Wetherby

Saturday 2 November 2019

All12:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:10

bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:22 | Winning time: 5m 14.62s

Just Don't Ask²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 127| CD

9/2

Won twice on heavy ground over 2m4f towards the end of hurdles stint last season and got his head in front over a similar trip at this venue in January. Disappointed when last season but respected on his return if fit.

Form: 211/717-

Cave Top²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 126

11/1

Had a fair strike-rate over hurdles but has just won once in seven starts over fences. Capable from this sort of mark but made jumping errors on his last two starts and has fitness to prove on return from an absence.

Form: 6412F6-

West To The Bridge^h,t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

9/2

Won twice in novice hurdle company but made jumping errors on debut over fences at Carlisle on return. Yard do well with their runners here and he's of interest stepped up markedly in trip here.

Form: 13719-4

River Frost³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: B Haslam| OR: 125

28/1

Won three races over hurdles but yet to beat a rival home in two attempts over fences. Steps up markedly in trip and that may suit but he still has plenty of questions to answer at present.

Form: 0/9F0-64

Manwell^t²⁴⁴

25/1

Form tailed off towards the end of last season but generally very consistent over fences and gained back-to-back wins last season including a course success. Interesting if ready to go on return.

Form: 211244-

Valhalla^t²²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 119

9/1

Won twice on heavy ground at the start of 2018 but has struggled since. Well beaten in two starts in early 2019 and opposable on return, drops in trip.

Form: 5/33P47-

Kapgarry⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117| C

3/1

Point-to-point winner who won over hurdles here last season. Shaped with plenty of promise on debut over fences at Warwick on return, though did jump right at times; may be capable of building on that run here.

Form: 5060P-3

Cougar's Gold^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 117

5/1

In good form last season, winning three of his eight starts over fences and his return run at Exeter was promising last month. Gives the impression there may be more to come.

Form: 21414-2

Oak Vintage²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 113| D

7/1

Has six wins over fences and shaped like he needed the run at Stratford in October. This trip should prove more to his liking but he will need to come on for that run last time.

Form: 25846-4

Forecasts

Kapgarry (3/1), West To The Bridge (9/2), Just Don't Ask (9/2), Cougar's Gold (5/1), Oak Vintage (7/1), Valhalla (9/1), Cave Top (11/1), Manwell (25/1), River Frost (28/1)

Dan Skelton has a fine record with his runners at Wetherby and there's no doubt that West To The Bridge is an intriguing runner up in trip here. However, COUGAR'S GOLD is the preferred option having run with plenty of promise at Exeter on his return to action. Kapgarry produced a promising performance last time and is another to consider.