wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:18 | Winning time: 4m 9.6s

Azzuri^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 139

25/1

Would need to improve markedly from reappearance run over C&D where he finished 58-length behind Hawk High when coming home last of seven. Remains 7lb above last winning mark, and can be confidently ruled out while struggling for form.

Form: 401-007

Hawk High^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 133| BF| CD

15/8

Bumped into runaway winner when runner-up to Marracudja in the Castleford Handicap Chase over C&D last month. Pulled eight-length clear of the third that day and this is less competitive. Excellent claims off what is an unchanged mark.

Form: 3141-22

Katpoli^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 134| BF

9/4

Posted a below-par effort when stepped up to a trip he has never won over before at Taunton (2m2f; soft). May also have been feeling the effects of a subsequent 7lb rise for chase debut success at Southwell (2m; soft) previously.

Form: 35P-517

Ballyvic Boru³⁵

9/2

Scored over C&D three starts ago off a 6lb lower mark, and wasn't disgraced most recently when third (again over C&D). Never won off a mark as high as this before though, so perhaps one to oppose. Place claims.

Form: 244133

Niven^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 124

7/2

Drops back in trip after finishing runner-up in a slightly lower grade at this track on Boxing Day. That was a definite improvement from his previous run over C&D when tailed-off. Could be ready to take advantage of falling mark for in-form team.

Form: 322-672

Forecasts

Hawk High (15/8), Katpoli (9/4), Niven (7/2), Ballyvic Boru (9/2), Azzuri (25/1)

The Phillip Kirby/Tommy Dowson duo are in top form at present after taking the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick during the week, and their Niven took a step back in the right direction when runner-up over slightly further here on Boxing Day. He has solid claims if able to build on that despite his 1-12 strike rate over fences. C&D winner Ballyvic Boru is also in the mix after running respectably in third over C&D last month. The one they all have to beat is the classy HAWK HIGH who runs off the same mark he finished second off in the Castleford Chase over C&D last month. He bumped into one then and in this weaker contest he remains unexposed over fences.