14:05 Wetherby

Friday 27 December 2019

All12:2513:0013:3014:0514:4015:15

888Sport Castleford Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:09 | Winning time: 4m 9.80s

Chesterfield²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J W Mullins| OR: 143

10/3

Has shown a decent level of form in all four chase starts, winning one at Kempton (2m2f, good) around this time last year; as good a chance as any if reproducing his recent level of form; more rain will help his cause.

Form: 2231-23

Azzuri^t⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 142

20/1

Took a while to warm up over fences but finally snagged a victory in a decent contest at Ayr in April; below par in two runs over hurdles since, he is one who will be inconvenienced by the ground getting slower but hard to overlook totally.

Form: 8401-00

Charmant^p1⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Ewart| OR: 138

8/1

Took to fences really well last season with three wins around this trip and entitled to come on for comeback run at Aintree last month; lightly raced and more to come over fences so could play a leading a role in first time cheekpieces.

Form: 1141F-4

Eamon An Cnoic^b,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 137

9/2

Seemed to have lost his way following a useful effort at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year but showed signs of recovery last time out at Cheltenham; if back to his best he holds every chance.

Form: 49-0U02

Tonto's Spirit^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 136

8/1

Unable to land a hat-trick last time out at Sedgefield but still produced a useful effort in defeat; this looks more competitive and the handicapper may have his measure at present.

Form: 102112

Marracudja^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

6/1

Only beaten a short head in this race last season off a slightly higher mark; recent form has been below needed to land this but chance he could bounce back.

Form: 283-855

Hawk High^p³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 133| CD

9/4

C&D winner was in good form last season winnng two of his four starts in novice chases; reasonable recent effort on handicap debut here last month and should give another good account of himself.

Form: 8/3141-2

Non-Runners

Duke Of Navan³⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 11

T: N G Richards J: R D Day

Forecasts

Hawk High (9/4), Chesterfield (10/3), Eamon An Cnoic (9/2), Marracudja (6/1), Tonto's Spirit (8/1), Charmant (8/1), Duke Of Navan (8/1), Azzuri (20/1)

CHESTERFIELD has run well in his past two starts and looks a better horse than last season. If he has the ability to maintain his recent level of form he looks to have an outstanding chance especially if the ground gets any more testing. Marracudja reserved his best performance for this contest last season and although he needs to bounce back from some recent below par efforts, he may still go well. Eamon An Cnoic showed on his latest outing he may be ready to hit top form and this sub-two mile distance may prove to suit.