14:25 Wetherby

Wednesday 25 November 2020

All11:4512:1512:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:30

Watch The Jumps In HD On RacingTV Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 54.19s

Joke Dancer^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 134

5/1

Let down by his jumping at the end of last term and below par here both starts this season. On the upside, he's eased in class now and has edged back to his last winning mark.

Form: 13FP-76

Protek Des Flos²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 131

7/1

Matched winning hurdles form for Nicky Henderson when landing 17.1f Kelso handicap chase in February. Ayr reappearance effort was respectable, but more needed if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 03/331-4

Smarty Wild²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130

9/4

Good hurdles strike rate (4-9) and positives to glean from chase debut third at Ascot (18.8f). 2 lb lower now and it would be no surprise to see an improved display from this 6-y-o.

Form: 01446-3

Some Reign²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 129| BF| C

10/3

Improved when opening chase account on return at Hexham. Appeared to have the measure of eventual winner Ballyvic Boru when falling at the last over C&D next time and he needs considering.

Form: 42/43-1F

Ballyvic Boru²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 127| CD

7/1

Rather fortunate to register second C&D victory last month, around 3 lengths behind Some Reign when that rival departed at the final fence. More needed if he's to follow up off this 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 475-P31

Azzuri¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 126

25/1

Five-time chase winner who has slipped to a potentially handy mark (runner-up off 8 lb higher at Southwell in July), but recent efforts have been underwhelming.

Form: 235068

So Easy Way⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 132WS

11/1

Good jumps pedigree and landed a claming chase at Compiegne (17.2f) last November. Nearer last than first on British debut over C&D last month, but should be sharper now and since undergone a wind op.

Form: P7251-8

Saint Leo²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| BF

14/1

Winning hurdler/chaser in France, but 0-8 on these shores and ran no sort of a race on return/debut for new yard at Ayr.

Form: F63/44-P

Non-Runners

Billingsley²⁷¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: A Ralph J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Smarty Wild (9/4), Some Reign (10/3), Joke Dancer (5/1), Billingsley (11/2), Ballyvic Boru (7/1), Protek Des Flos (7/1), So Easy Way (11/1), Saint Leo (14/1), Azzuri (25/1)

BILLINGSLEY improved with each of his 3 completed starts over fences last season, culminating in a strong front-running display at Newbury, and there may well be more to come from this 8-y-o. He gets the nod ahead of Smarty Wild, who shaped with promise on chase debut at Ascot and is open to improvement. Some Reign is clearly in good heart and will also be a threat granted a clear round.