University Of Liverpool Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 38.60s

Cobolobo^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122| BF

9/4

0-4 over fences and has a point to prove after failing to complete the last twice. The form to his name on the two occasions he has got round would give him a leading chance in this contest.

Form: PP/23U-P

Garrane⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 121

9/2

Drops in grade after contesting a decent race at Cheltenham (3m1f; good to soft) on his seasonal reappearance last month. Winless in seven starts over fences, but this is one of his easier assignments. No doubts about his stamina. Big chance.

Form: 22P32-7

Diggin Deep²¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: W T Kennedy| T: S Hanlon| OR: 116

16/1

0-3 over fences (rated 33lb higher over hurdles). Makes seasonal debut but has won when fresh in the past. Too much to prove back over fences to recommend as a genuine player. First ever runner at this track for Irish trainer.

Form: 12138-1

Henry's Joy^b²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

7/1

Bounced back from poor display at Stratford (2m5f; soft) in October to finish second at Carlisle (2m4f; soft) last month. In the mix but he has stamina to prove over this far as he goes back up in trip.

Form: 3133-P2

Never Up²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 110

11/1

Back down to the mark he scored off at Carlisle (2m4f; heavy) in March. Work to do to reverse the form with Henry's Joy after the pair met at that same Cumbrian track last time out. Vulnerable to less exposed types.

Form: 516-444

Speak Of The Devil¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110

4/1

Very lightly raced after just the four starts. Connections evidently keen to send him over fences. Plenty of encouragement to be taken from his second at Newcastle (2m7f; heavy) on chase debut. Should be bang there again in this open contest.

Form: 135-32

The Ogle Gogle Man^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 107| D

5/1

Enjoyed a successful 2018, but he has not been in the same form in just four starts this term with form figures of 6F65. Mark is beginning to drop as a result (just 2lb above last winning mark). Bit to prove after recent defeat.

Form: 116F6-5

Forecasts

Cobolobo (9/4), Speak Of The Devil (4/1), Garrane (9/2), The Ogle Gogle Man (5/1), Henry's Joy (7/1), Never Up (11/1), Diggin Deep (16/1)

The two with the most weight in this race may not have form figures that inspire confidence. However, despite the fact they are still maidens, both COBOLOBO and Garrane have form in better races than this. The latter should strip fitter for his seasonal reappearance after finishing down the field at Cheltenham. Although he has a point to prove though, the former is preferred given he holds slightly stronger form on the two occasions he has completed over fences. The lightly raced Speak Of The Devil retains plenty of potential at this level over fences and can claim third after posting a highly encouraging chase debut when second at Newcastle last month.