14:05 Wetherby

Wednesday 17 February 2021

All12:3013:0513:3514:0514:4015:1215:42

Sixt Car Hire Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 4m 6.40s

Umbrigado^p,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 139

7/2

Useful hurdler who has taken very well to fences this term, readily landing odds on second chase start at Fontwell (19.5f, heavy). More to come off now handicapping so rates an interesting contender.

Form: 560-221

Hollywoodien^p⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T Symonds| OR: 139| CWS

13/2

Successful at Hereford (2m) last March with re-addition of cheekpieces. Not disgraced after 10 months off when third at Sandown on return and looks ready to step forward now with headgear back on.

Form: 3/3UP1-3

Marracudja^t⁵²

10/3

C&D winner who has hinted at a revival of late, leading long way when fourth of 5 in handicap chase here 52 days ago. Back on his last winning mark so worth considering.

Form: 0-46734

Maypole Class⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133

8/1

Largely progressive over hurdles and similar theme over fences, winning last 2 starts, including in good style at Fakenham (2m5f) in December. Back in trip but more to come so not taken lightly.

Form: 12P-011

Charmant^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 132| C

16/1

Better than ever when scoring over fences here (19.4f) last term. Below that level since but not totally disgraced when fourth of 5 at Doncaster (2m) last time. No forlorn hope.

Form: 51P-874

Destined To Shine^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 128| BF

12/1

Scored at Uttoxeter in October and right back on track of late, second in 2m Haydock handicap last time. Much respected despite 2 lb rise.

Form: 2-19U22

The Paddy Pie⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 125

11/1

Fairly useful chaser who has run well on each of his 2 starts over fences this season, unable to dominate but keeping on for third at Aintree (19.9f) last time. Not ruled out off 1 lb lower mark here.

Form: F31-033

Swift Crusador²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 122

28/1

Fairly useful winning chaser at best but took heavy early fall at Aintree (national fences) on his return before running poorly on rare hurdles start at Taunton latest. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 34/U2-F7

Commis D'Office⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 116

4/1

Largely below par last season, but having under gone another wind op he returned with very good second in 2m Newbury handicap. Big player off unchanged mark.

Form: 324/P4-2

Chozen^h³³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 114

50/1

Improved for the switch to chasing during 2018/19, winning twice at 2m. Very lightly raced since and back now after 11 months off but he's gone well fresh previously so not written off.

Form: U14/P03-

Forecasts

Marracudja (10/3), Umbrigado (7/2), Commis D'Office (4/1), Hollywoodien (13/2), Maypole Class (8/1), The Paddy Pie (11/1), Destined To Shine (12/1), Charmant (16/1), Swift Crusador (28/1), Chozen (50/1)

Marginal preference in a competitive handicap is for UMBRIGADO, who has taken really well to fences and has the potential to prove a fair bit better than his opening handicap mark. Commis d'Office rates a big threat if reproducing his excellent Newbury second off the back of a second wind op, while C&D winner Marracudja figures on a winning mark again so is not taken lightly either.