15:53 Warwick

Friday 26 February 2021

All13:3714:1014:4515:2015:5316:2316:53

Budbrooke Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:53 | Winning time: 5m 12.40s

Espoir De Guye³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147

7/2

Returned with career-best display to score at Ascot (21f) and dispelled a blip when fourth in another competitive 21f handicap at Ascot in January. Rates a player under Brian Hughes.

Form: 11P-184

Blaklion¹¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| D

16/1

Very smart chaser who landed the Becher Chase at Aintree off 8 lb higher mark in December 2017. Didn't offer much on belated return for new yard in October and drops back in trip now.

Form: BP085/0

Claimantakinforgan⁸³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144| BF

11/1

Smart novice hurdler who showed plenty over fences during 2018, scoring at Uttoxeter prior to a good third in Cheltenham Grade 2. Fact he's been absent since is off-putting and market should guide.

Form: 135213/

Precious Cargo^t¹⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144WS

9/2

Low-mileage sort who was well held in a 2-runner affair on return at Huntingdon in November. However, undergone wind surgery since and exploits last term suggests there is more to come in this sphere.

Form: 6/123F-2

Springtown Lake^b1⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| CD

6/1

Talented sort who ran well when fifth in Grand Sefton at Aintree in December. Well held in Rowland Meyrick subsequently but he won this race 12 months ago and he's respected in first-time blinkers.

Form: 219-255

Benatar²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| D

4/1

Useful chaser who shaped encouragingly after 23 months off when third of 17 in Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December. However, bounce back called for having ran below par at Sandown since.

Form: 4437/3P

Espoir De Teillee¹¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 138| DWS

25/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who opened chase account on back of wind surgery at Ludlow (20f) last winter. Well beaten on return at Aintree in November and he's since undergone another wind op.

Form: 9/6412-7

Champagne Court^p1⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 135| BF| D

5/1

Jumped well when winning at Sandown/Plumpton last term. Little impact over longer trips so far this season but is back below last winning mark and return to this trip will suit. Headgear applied.

Form: 58-9P58

The Unit²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 134| D

25/1

Dual novice chase winner in 2018 who proved he retains ability when fourth in a Wetherby listed handicap on return. Fit from jumpers bumper spin 25 days ago and assessor has afforded him a chance.

Form: 132/456

Forecasts

Espoir De Guye (7/2), Benatar (4/1), Precious Cargo (9/2), Champagne Court (5/1), Springtown Lake (6/1), Claimantakinforgan (11/1), Blaklion (16/1), Espoir De Teillee (25/1), The Unit (25/1)

ESPOIR DE GUYE dispelled a lesser effort when a creditable fourth behind subsequent Ascot Chase winner Dashel Drasher at Ascot last month and he's fancied to make a bold bid despite conceding weight all round. Precious Cargo, on the back of a wind op, last year's winner Springtown Lake and the potentially well-treated The Unit head up the dangers.