Read Davy Russells Exclusive Blog starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:26 | Winning time: 4m 22.15s

Graystown^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95| D

7/1

Eased in the weights and capitalised with back-to-back Hexham handicaps, dead-heating for the latest of them, but pulled up at Fakenham last time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 34311P

My Renaissance^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 94| CD

6/1

Strong in the betting and returned to form with fourth C&D win in September. Left with too much to do here next time and fell early at Musselburgh latest so this 10-y-o merits serious consideration.

Form: 76513F

Astra Via^p1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 88

12/1

Modest maiden hurdler who has offered little in novice handicap chases at Bangor and Ludlow this term. Cheekpieces reached for now with lots to prove.

Form: 7337-7P

Boss Des Mottes^p,t⁵⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 85| D

28/1

Without a win since 2018 and well below par both starts this season. Plummeting in the weights but he still needs to show more.

Form: 284P/57-

Pottlereaghexpress²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J McGrath| T: T Lawes| OR: 84

9/4

Form: 5302-32

Frankie Ballou^b,t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 79| CD

6/1

Arrives on a long losing run, and tried back over hurdles when only seventh of 8 in 22f handicap (50/1) at Haydock 20 days ago. Three-time C&D winner in 2018 but still has something to prove.

Form: 3223-77

Beet Topper¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 73| BF

5/2

Hasn't looked to apply himself when beaten favourite on both starts this term for new yard, hooded when fifth in 2m Leicester handicap 19 days ago. Others look more persuasive.

Form: FP5R-65

Forecasts

Pottlereaghexpress (9/4), Beet Topper (5/2), Frankie Ballou (6/1), My Renaissance (6/1), Graystown (7/1), Astra Via (12/1), Boss Des Mottes (28/1)

Most of these arrive with question marks against them but MY RENAISSANCE is better than his recent form figures suggests so is fancied to notch C&D win number five. Pottlereaghexpress is knocking on the door so is sure to make her presence felt, while Graystown appeals as the pick of the remainder.