888Sport Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 5m 42.4s

Pain Au Chocolat^p,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: R Menzies| OR: 137

8/1

Useful seven-time winner who usually runs to his mark and probably in need of first run when 22L third at Doncaster (2m3f) this month. Cant be entirely ignored but may be in grip of the handicapper.

Form: 6391-F3

Hollywoodien²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 135| CD

11/4

Formerly smart chaser in the past and returned from 998-day absence with fine 7L third here (1m7f) last month. Entitled to place claims but need to be wary of the 'bounce' factor.

Form: 14133/3

Beau Bay^h,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 132| C

5/1

Hasn't won since landing 1m7f handicap chase here last January but put up career best when third in the Grand Sefton Chase (2m5f) last time out. Any replication of that effort should see him go close.

Form: 6559-U3

Utility^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 132| D

18/1

Dual winner on good ground for David Bridgwater last year but made less than impressive start for this yard when 10th at Newbury (2m6f) last month. Plenty to prove against progressive rivals.

Form: 1F4020

Just Don't Ask^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 126| CD

11/8

C&D winner in the past. Improved on comeback effort to be beaten into 4L third at Exeter with form being boosted significantly since. Player if progressing from that effort again.

Form: 1/717-33

Niven^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 124

9/1

Hasn't gone on as hoped since Hexham win last December and tailed off in two starts here this term, including 52L defeat over 1m7f last month. Very limited appeal in this company.

Form: 1322-67

Non-Runners

Sammy Bill¹⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: O Sherwood J: L P Aspell

Forecasts

Sammy Bill (5/4), Just Don't Ask (11/8), Hollywoodien (11/4), Beau Bay (5/1), Pain Au Chocolat (8/1), Niven (9/1), Utility (18/1)

SAMMY BILL has arguably been one of the most improved horses in training this season, looking like a smart prospect in both starts to date. Despite the hike in the weights he could be a graded performer in waiting and should be able to maintain his unbeaten chasing record in this. His main rival is likely to beJust Don't Ask, whose latest third at Exeter looks strong, with the winner running out an impressive victor at Ascot last time out, while the likes of Beau Bay and Hollywoodien have run fine races in prestigious handicaps before and offer some strong form lines.