Thank You Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 51.26s

Pistol Whipped¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144| D

2/1

Proved a different proposition under a front-running ride when making all at Plumpton (20f) earlier this month, showing a good attitude. Can go well again up 7 lb if in the same mood.

Form: F50-201

Delire D'Estruval^b³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 141| D

9/1

Posted smart effort to win valuable 20.5f handicap at Kempton on final start last season but he's shown little in 2 runs this year, shaping as if amiss at Cheltenham. Plenty to prove now.

Form: 7231-PP

Defi Sacre^p,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: R Hobson| OR: 129| BF

6/4

Back to winning ways in 21f Ascot handicap chase last month and may have followed up at Newcastle but for his rider losing his irons 2 out. Not dismissed with Brian Hughes now up. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 333312

Niven^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 123

17/2

On a handy mark and back in form with good runs at Doncaster and Haydock, very much running into one last time. Player.

Form: P64532

Boy's On Tour³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| CD

7/1

Good record here, landing fourth C&D handicap chase in August. Likely running into form but his mark is probably still a tad high enough. Will find easier races.

Form: 5-21P64

Forecasts

Defi Sacre (6/4), Pistol Whipped (2/1), Boy's On Tour (7/1), Niven (17/2), Delire D'Estruval (9/1)

PISTOL WHIPPED proved well served by a switch to front-running tactics when bossing some proven prominent racers at Plumpton earlier this month, showing a good attitude to boot. That may not prove his limit now he's back up and running and he can win again. Niven is feared most ahead of Defi Sacre.