Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 10.65s

Dolos^t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| CD

3/1

Boasts form figures of 211 in this in the last 3 years and arrives in form after a couple of good runs at Cheltenham (stamina stretched over 19.8f latest). Just 1 lb higher than for last season's win.

Form: 2714-44

Caribean Boy⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154| BF

7/2

Resumed with a taking win in 20f Newbury Grade 2 in November then didn't stay the extra furlong in the Ascot mud. Promises to be suited by this test back down in trip in a handicap and claims.

Form: 92/31-13

Moonlighter³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: Nick Williams| OR: 144| D

13/2

Won at Newbury last term and took another step forward when runner-up in Haldon Gold Cup on return. Not disgraced back from a fall over C&D last time, hold-up tactics not suiting. Dropped 3 lb.

Form: 142-2F5

Destrier^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| D

11/1

A smart 2m novice chaser in 2018-19 and not given a hard time on first run for 11 months at Warwick 3 weeks ago. Mark has dropped further and he could be much closer to form here.

Form: 13/365-4

Billingsley²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A Ralph| OR: 135| D

13/2

Has won all of his races over fences when completing, namely a hat-trick of handicaps around 2m last season. Led and unseated 5 out at Wetherby last time. Won't get away with too many mistakes here.

Form: U111-FU

Mr One More⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: R P McLernon| T: H Fry| OR: 134| D

5/1

Fairly useful novice hurdler around 2m in 2017. Shaped encouragingly after 34 months off on chase debut at Chepsow in November but well held at Kempton following month. Drops back in trip.

Form: 1165/24

Paddy's Poem³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 127| D

8/1

Has won 3 handicap chases at around 2m and returned with a cracking effort when second to the thriving Ibleo in C&D contest 5 weeks ago, collared late. This is tougher but he's not ruled out.

Form: 121/12-2

Forecasts

Dolos (3/1), Caribean Boy (7/2), Mr One More (5/1), Moonlighter (13/2), Billingsley (13/2), Paddy's Poem (8/1), Destrier (11/1)

Probably the main target again for DOLOS and there is no obvious reason to take him on given he's run well at Cheltenham twice this season and is just 1 lb higher than for his win last year under Harry Cobden. Caribean Boy looks the danger back down in trip, though Paddy's Poem shouldn't be dismissed from out of the weights after his cracking second to Ibleo here last month.