Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 32.1s

Beware The Bear^b⁷⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| D

4/1

Won the Ultima at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival. Another good run in the Ladbrokes on his return but poor at Ascot next time and long been unreliable. Down 4 lb and has a new rider here.

Form: 1P/48-57

Canelo^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 147| C

13/8

Big improver in handicap chases this season, winning novice event at Aintree and the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby before a fine fourth in a hot Sky Bet here. Worthy favourite in this easier race.

Form: 1-01214

Just A Sting^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 135

16/1

Looked a horse going places when winning 3m Kempton handicap chase in December 2019 but it's been a struggle since.

Form: 41FP-P8

Chidswell⁴⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-3| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 130| CD

6/1

Last win came in this 2 years ago (off 3 lb lower) and he's in better form than his form figures suggest, shaping well here before losing a shoe on a rare go back over hurdles. Interesting.

Form: P23-366

Red Infantry^p¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: C J Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 129| C

8/1

Course winner back in the day and he showed some ability remains in a 3m veterans' handicap here recently. Down another 3 lb and he could be a player if stepping up his game.

Form: U7/5-P06

Special Prep^p,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 129| CD

5/1

C&D winner having his first race over fences since April 2019 and shouldn't want for fitness after a couple of recent runs in AW bumpers. Very interesting outsider under good conditional.

Form: 1P/3-805

Chef D'Oeuvre^p,t⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: David England| T: S England| OR: 125WS

14/1

Won staying handicap chase at Haydock in 2018, and having missed last season proved that he retains ability when second at Wetherby 3 months ago. Not so good over hurdles latest and has had a wind op.

Form: 13P/U26

Forecasts

Canelo (13/8), Beware The Bear (4/1), Special Prep (5/1), Chidswell (6/1), Red Infantry (8/1), Chef D'Oeuvre (14/1), Just A Sting (16/1)

2019 winner CHIDSWELL is probably in better form than his form figures suggest and this may have been the target for the veteran. A big run could be forthcoming if he can keep the mistakes down and he gets the vote over Canelo and Special Prep.