Sky Bet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 13.5s

Ibleo²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147| D

6/5

Low-mileage 8-y-o who has took form to a new level this season, runner-up in handicaps at Ascot/Cheltenham prior to finishing strongly to score at Sandown (15.5f) latest. Big player with more to come.

Form: 112-221

The Big Bite⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 144| C| D

2/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who made it 2 wins from 4 starts over fences when scoring on return/yard debut at Aintree (15.8f) in November. Fancied to go well again from 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 08/412-1

Whoshotthesheriff⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 140| D

8/1

Useful hurdler who confirmed chase debut promise when landing 2m graduation event at Carlisle in November. Seemingly not 100% at Newcastle since and too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 504-214

Charmant^p⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 136| D

14/1

Better than ever when winning at Wetherby off this mark 12 months ago. Below that level in 3 starts since but not seen to best effect at Newcastle (23.4f) latest.

Form: 451P-87

Little Light^v1¹¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 122| D

8/1

Resumed winning ways in a change of headgear in 4-runner handicap at Southwell in March. Shaped as though in need of Fontwell return and she can step up on that. Visor replaces blinkers.

Form: 41331-3

Forecasts

Ibleo (6/5), The Big Bite (2/1), Whoshotthesheriff (8/1), Little Light (8/1), Charmant (14/1)

IBLEO is very low-mileage for an 8-y-o and has taken his form up a notch this season, confirming previous promise with a strong finishing effort to resume winning ways at Sandown at the start of the month. A 7 lb rise should not prevent another bold bid and he can go in again. The Big Bite, who was successful on return at Aintree, is a big threat though, ahead of Little Light.