15:35 Hereford

Wednesday 17 February 2021

All13:5514:3015:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

bestbettingsites.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 47.85s

Oakley Hall⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 98

12/1

Bumper winner in Ireland, but became increasingly temperamental over hurdles for Jonjo O'Neill in 2019. Remote fifth on Ludlow return for new yard and was pulled up on sole previous chase start.

Form: P/0654-5

Joly Maker⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 96

12/1

Resumed winning ways at Bangor (20.3f) in August prior to hitting the crossbar at Ffos Las and Uttoxeter. Not at very best at Southwell (20.4f) last time, but not discounted at this level.

Form: 2B3253

Early Days^h1,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 96

22/1

Lightly-raced sort who has shown just modest form to date, beaten a fair way when fourth on chase debut at Plumpton last month. Now tried in a hood.

Form: 7545-04

Larcadio³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 93

11/2

Winning Irish pointer who achieved a fair level of form over hurdles last term. However, while his reappearance/chase debut effort at Stratford was fair, his 2 subsequent efforts have been poor.

Form: 958-5PP

Annie Day²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 93

6/1

Little impact in 3 starts over hurdles, but this former point winner has shown greater spark switched to fences the last twice. Remains open to improvement in this sphere and needs considering.

Form: 599732

Miss Antipova^h¹⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 92

100/1

Signs of ability over hurdles last season, but it's hard to lend her support on the back of a low-key chase debut at Uttoxeter in September.

Form: 90/636-8

Arquebusier^p,t⁶⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 90

25/1

Scored at Taunton in October 2019 and latest effort off this mark at Bangor was creditable, Cheekpieces refitted and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 15P35-3

Kiera Royale^t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 89

12/1

Gained first win at 32nd attempt in 2m3f handicap chase at Ffos Las 13 days ago. 8 lb rise fair enough and she's one of the likelier winners.

Form: P-07541

Arqalina⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 87| D

4/1

Not at her best in 3 starts so far this season, but she has at least slipped back to the mark off which she opened her chase account at Ffos Las last term, so there's some cause for optimism.

Form: 14P-536

Blue Monday^p⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 83| BF| CD

8/1

Progressive at a low level last winter, winning twice in the mud. However, he has failed to complete all 3 starts since returning to action in September. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 131-FPP

Pottlereaghexpress⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 83| BF

5/1

Yet to win a race of any description, but she has finished in the money in 5 of her half-a-dozen starts since joining this yard. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 302-323

Mount Oliver^p³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 82

9/1

Erratic jumper for Neil Mulholland but first outing for new stable (third at Leicester) wasn't devoid of encouragement. Mark untouched and claims granted a clean round of jumping.

Form: 3/723P-3

Forecasts

Arqalina (4/1), Pottlereaghexpress (5/1), Larcadio (11/2), Annie Day (6/1), Blue Monday (8/1), Mount Oliver (9/1), Joly Maker (12/1), Oakley Hall (12/1), Kiera Royale (12/1), Early Days (22/1), Arquebusier (25/1), Miss Antipova (100/1)

ANNIE DAY failed to build on her most promising chase debut when a distant second at Chepstow last month, but it's still early days for this 6-y-o and this intermediate trip could be just the ticket. She gets the nod ahead of recent Ffos Las scorer Kiera Royale, who looks a big threat despite going up 8 lb. The consistent Pottlereaghexpress should also make her presence felt.