14:10 Wetherby

Thursday 26 December 2019

All11:5512:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

888Sport Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 7m 1.5s

Lake View Lad²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: N W Alexander| OR: 155| CD

6/1

Enjoyed a stellar season last year, winning this race 12 months ago before placing at the Cheltenham Festival. In need of the run when 23L fifth at Newcastle (3m1f) last time and is 8lb higher than last year's winning mark.

Form: 3/113P-5

Top Ville Ben^h²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 154| CD

3/1

Prominent racer who hacked up in C&D novice chase here last term before finishing third in 3m Aintree Grade 1. Looked the winner a long way out before fuel tank emptied at Newcastle (3m1f) last time. Claims at this track.

Form: 5F13-53

Wakanda³¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 149| C| D

20/1

Regularly a smart performer, including victories in the Skybet (2018), Rehearsal (2015) and Peter Marsh (2019) chases. Not seen since pulling up in Grand National Trial (3m4f) in February and could be vulnerable to younger rivals.

Form: P0/541P-

Bennys King²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 145

5/1

Vast improver since joining this yard, winning three of his four starts and produced a career best with 6L victory in 2m6f Newbury handicap chase in November. 11lb rise catapults him to this level but respected.

Form: 4P/11-61

Jonniesofa²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 142| BF| D

8/1

Stable star for this yard who was a Grade 2 winner in the past. Slammed his rivals on comeback at Ayr in November before run came too soon in Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle (3m1f) last time. Not to be discounted.

Form: 1912/14

Guitar Pete⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 141| C

7/1

Grade 1 and top-level handicap winner in his pomp and returned with fine success over 2m3f here in November. Not as good at Cheltenham (2m4f) since but does thrive at this track. Unproven at the trip however.

Form: 8/233-18

I Just Know⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 140| D

33/1

Not been seen to best effect since returning from lengthy absence and pulled up in 3m Bangor handicap chase on latest start last month. This looks a tall order to have in front of him.

Form: 2F/2F-0P

Lachlan Bridge^p1²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 137

100/1

Former French racer who has proven to be difficult in three starts for this yard, refusing to race on his last two starts. No feasible chance on those efforts and may not go once again.

Form: P63/PPR

Rocco¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| D

7/1

Good winner of Stratford handicap chase (2m3f) in October and holding the form well since, including 2L second at Leicester (2m6f) last time. Tries this trip over fences for the first time but holds place claims.

Form: 50-F132

Didero Vallis¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

5/1

Won back-to-back handicaps this time last year before running well at the Festival. Put up a far better display when 24L fifth in the Grand Sefton Chase (2m5f) last time but even that requires more now.

Form: 1185-P5

Forecasts

Top Ville Ben (3/1), Didero Vallis (5/1), Bennys King (5/1), Lake View Lad (6/1), Guitar Pete (7/1), Rocco (7/1), Jonniesofa (8/1), Wakanda (20/1), I Just Know (33/1), Lachlan Bridge (100/1)

An up-to-standard renewal of this prestigious handicap chase which could see the trophy stay in the north courtesy of JONNIESOFA. The nine-year-old still has few miles on the clock and obviously has top-class ability given his Grade 2 win in the past. His latest effort at Newcastle was respectable given the quick turnaround and the soft ground should suit him well in this. Top Ville Ben will force the pace and will be dangerous if getting a soft lead, but his stamina did begin to tell at this level last time, while the likes of the progressive Bennys King and Lake View Lad should go close if replicating their very best efforts.