MansionBet Proud To Support British Racing Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 6m 55.28s

Bassarabad^t,v⁵²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 111| D

33/1

Produced a couple of typically moody performances in his last two chases appearances looking a hard ride each time. Remains 5lb above his last winning mark and now has a long absence to overcome albeit down in grade.

Form: P/3023P-

Shanty Alley⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 110

3/1

Yet to score over fences his one respectable effort remains a third to Dino Boy at Wetherby (3m, heavy) where he for once avoided mistakes. Well supported at Doncaster last time he ran badly (jumped poorly, tame finish); plenty to prove.

Form: 85-5U36

Silent Steps^b⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 102| CD

7/2

Dual course winner including at this trip who rewarded support last time over 4f shorter here under a confident Bryony Frost ride (only rider to have won on her). Left clear two out (won by 9L); no banker to be in the same form this time around.

Form: 177P61

The Ogle Gogle Man^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 106| BF| D

7/1

Looked to be working his way back to the same form he showed when winning back-to-back staying chases in late-2018. Twice runner-up in December (once in better grade); below-par last time (looks quirky), can be a sketchy jumper of fences.

Form: F6-5229

Inch Lala⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 103

12/1

Slipped back below her last winning mark gained on her second chase start (built on debut promise). Modest efforts in amongst some bitter disappointments of late since that success; not certain to stay this trip, recent form hardly gives confidence.

Form: 3432-3P

Virnon⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 101| C

7/2

Course winner over 4f shorter who is still searching for another win although a further fall in the weights nearly brought a change of fortune last time over C&D. Turned in his best effort of the season (travelled well); repeat sees him go close.

Form: 457262

Dee Star²⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 100| BF| D

4/1

Limited but fair form over fences (10L point-to-point winner) under Rules who took a Cartmel maiden hunters' chase in the summer by 12L. Shaped well at the same track when last seen (3m2f, handicap), went well (given plenty to do), back from a break.

Form: 221-314

Forecasts

Shanty Alley (3/1), Silent Steps (7/2), Virnon (7/2), Dee Star (4/1), The Ogle Gogle Man (7/1), Inch Lala (12/1), Bassarabad (33/1)

Hardly a solid profile to be found in this opening handicap despite the course win of Silent Steps last time out she’s never been the most consistent and both her previous wins have been followed by an abysmal performance despite being ridden by Bryony Frost each time (3-3 on the horse). The Ogle Gogle Man would have claims if his last sub-standard performance could be ignored whilst Inch Lala and Shanty Alley come with risks. It may be better to give VIRNON the benefit of the doubt having produced some of his better performances around here this mark 4lb below his last winning one. Dee Star has potential in this arena but does have a fair absence to overcome but his mark looks a fair one.