Call Star Sports On 08000 521 321 Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 40.15s

Friends Don't Ask^p1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: Martin Smith| OR: 97

11/4

Gained breakthrough win upped to 29f at Fakenham in November. No chance from long way out of handicap in Eider at Newcastle since and this much more realistic. Cheekpieces added. Should go well.

Form: 53351P

Acaro^t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 95| C

16/5

Still to win over fences but has reached the frame in a pair of 21.5f handicaps here since returning from an absence. Steps up in trip now. Player in weak race.

Form: 37PP-43

Vital Sign¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 93

20/1

Maiden pointer who showed only modest form over hurdles last winter. Off 13 months, pulled up on 2½m Plumpton chase debut 14 days ago. Needs to leave that well behind now going up in trip.

Form: 9470P-P

Nessfield Blue^v1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: M D Grant| T: P G Murphy| OR: 90

6/1

Winless following 10 attempts over hurdles. Didn't fare too badly on when third on C&D chase debut in December but pulled up on both outings since. Visored first time.

Form: 4-373PP

Oakley Hall^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 87

8/1

Bumper winner but became increasingly temperamental over hurdles for Jonjo O'Neill in 2019 and little signs of improvement for new yard this term, pulling up at Plumpton last time.

Form: 54-566P

Only Gorgeous⁶⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 85

6/1

Sixteen runs since last win in 2017, and pulled up in handicap chase at Exeter (3m, heavy) when last seen 10 weeks ago. Has been given a bit of a chance by the handicapper, though.

Form: 3P6/35P

Monty Massini^p³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 66

11/2

Long-standing maiden hurdler/chaser who has to race from 5 lb out of the handicap here. His wait for that first win is likely to go on a bit longer.

Form: PP-4437

Forecasts

Friends Don't Ask (11/4), Acaro (16/5), Monty Massini (11/2), Only Gorgeous (6/1), Nessfield Blue (6/1), Oakley Hall (8/1), Vital Sign (20/1)

FRIENDS DON'T ASK predictably found it tough going from a long way out of the handicap in the Eider but had been pretty consistent at this sort of level prior to that and this looks a good opportunity for him to notch a second win. Acaro has reached the frame over shorter trips here in recent months and can give Martin Smith's charge most to think about.