16:32 Chepstow

Saturday 10 October 2020

All13:4014:1214:4715:2215:5716:3217:0717:42

John Ayres Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 4m 41.65s

Casablanca Mix²⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150

6/1

Improved again to land Summer Plate at Market Rasen last July and Aintree listed event in December. Well held at Doncaster on latest start 9 months ago but she may well get back on track here.

Form: 30/1114-

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Marracudja^t²¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 149

20/1

Useful chaser who recorded a career best when winning 2m handicap at Wetherby last December. However, well at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen and this mark is probably out of reach.

Form: 855130-

River Wylde⁵⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 144

33/1

Very useful novice hurdler for Nicky Henderson a few seasons back but absent since a light and ultimately disappointing 2018/19 campaign. Probably best watched on debut for new yard.

Form: 512FP6/

Mont Des Avaloirs²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| C

11/8

Very much caught the eye on second start over fences in Newbury Grade 2 last November. Didn't seem to get home over 23.5f there when last seen in February and this is more his trip.

Form: 07P/422-

Azzuri^t⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139

14/1

Back to form at Southwell the last twice, runner-up in a couple of 2m handicap chases on good/good to firm. However, opposable back up in trip on forecast slower ground here.

Form: 075P-23

The Bay Birch^t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 137| CD

2/1

Contested some hot handicaps last season and shaped well in calmer waters when third of 10 on recent return at Warwick. 8 lb lower than for last year's victory in this race and she's high on the list.

Form: 85328-3

Pink Eyed Pedro^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: D Brace| OR: 129| C

17/2

Enjoyed productive 2019 campaign, winning 4 times in various company. Best work at the finish when sixth in a competitive Market Rasen handicap chase (21.4f) a fortnight ago and has each-way hope.

Form: 2526-06

Non-Runners

Crievehill²³¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Spiritofthegames²¹²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Garde La Victoire²¹⁰

Weight: 11-1| Age: 11

T: P Hobbs & J White J: R Johnson

The Unit⁶⁶⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: A King J: Tom Cannon

Punches Cross²⁵¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Doitforthevillage³²⁴

Weight: 10-7| Age: 11

T: P Henderson J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Mont Des Avaloirs (11/8), The Bay Birch (2/1), Spiritofthegames (9/2), Casablanca Mix (6/1), Garde La Victoire (13/2), Pink Eyed Pedro (17/2), Punches Cross (10/1), Crievehill (10/1), Azzuri (14/1), The Unit (14/1), Marracudja (20/1), River Wylde (33/1), Doitforthevillage (33/1)

Having travelled well for a long way when third on her recent Warwick reappearance, THE BAY BIRCH is very appealing off a mark 8 lb below that off which she landed this race 12 months ago. Mont des Avaloirs remains open to improvement as a chaser and is a much-respected main danger, while Spiritofthegames is also shortlisted. Casablanca Mix and Garde La Victoire are others to consider.