Magners Irish Cider Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 7m 8.2s

Donna's Delight⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-7| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 121| C

11/10

Brother to the 4m winner Knockanrawley; showed marked improvement for wind surgery with a gritty front-running display here (3m3f, heavy) in January (eased late on); looks to be fairly weighted from a 6lb higher mark and rates a big player again.

Form: 333-451

Buddha Scheme^p1,t⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110| D

20/1

Won a novice handicap chase at Hexham (3m, soft; 40-1) on seasonal bow and first start over fences/after wind surgery in October; two poor runs afterwards however and back from short break with questions against his name.

Form: 59-417P

Craiganboy^h,t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 109| CD

7/1

Both career wins (2-29) here on heavy ground, over fences (2m2f) in 2017 and hurdles (this trip) a year later. Refused to start here in January but second since at Musselburgh; likely to give solid account assuming no temperament issues arise.

Form: 4F-24R2

Sandhurst Lad^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 107

22/1

Consistent in six chase starts last season for Warren Greatrex, winning once at Wincanton (3m1f, good; 3-1fav) but poor in all three outings this term for new trainer. Has handled soft without issue in the past but bounce-back needed.

Form: 132-6PP

No No Mac^b³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: I A Duncan| OR: 107| BF| C| D

3/1

Chase winner last season at Musselburgh over this sort of trip on good ground; handles soft no problem and placed in all three starts this term; including over C&D. Should be in the firing line again.

Form: 523323

Imperial Prince¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 97

6/1

Long-standing maiden over fences (0-19) has twice finished second around here, over C&D and (in January) over 2m5½f on heavy ground. Pulled up on his last three starts at 3m+ however, which has to be a source of concern allied to maiden status.

Form: 74PP2P

Walkin In The Rain⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie| OR: 92

11/1

Lightly-raced seven-year-old has shown promise since going chasing this term (three runs). Second here over 2m4½f (heavy; 28-1) on November was pleasing but pulled up next time over C&D and beat only one home since at Musselburgh.

Form: 4602P5

Forecasts

Donna's Delight (11/10), No No Mac (3/1), Imperial Prince (6/1), Craiganboy (7/1), Walkin In The Rain (11/1), Buddha Scheme (20/1), Sandhurst Lad (22/1)

Craiganboy has gained his two career victories at this circuit and will be a player assuming there's no repeat of the antics that saw him refuse to race here in January (second since at Musselburgh), while the solid and consistent No No Mac should have his turn again soon. However, DONNA'S DELIGHT broke the resolve of his rivals over further around here last time on his first run after wind surgery. Ryan Mania will likely ensure this is a thorough stamina test and a 6lb rise may not ground his ambitions of a follow-up success.