Hobgoblin IPA Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 6m 52.50s

Shanty Alley^p²³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: B I Case| OR: 132| C| D

4/1

Progressive over fences last season, winning handicaps here/Doncaster. Placed twice from much-inflated mark thereafter and this 7-y-o is one to consider on return.

Form: 331123-

Just Your Type^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 127| CD

9/2

Left reappearance is in his wake when landing this race 12 months ago. Creditable third in Peter Marsh final start and this more suitable than reappearance at Cheltenham. Yard in good form.

Form: P/51P3-P

Indy Five³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: David Dennis| OR: 120

6/1

Useful chaser at his peak who wasn't seen to best effect under change of tactics when sixth in veterans' chase on return in October. He's one to note from 3 lb lower mark with that under his belt.

Form: F44/23-6

Hard To Forget^v²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 118| C| D

3/1

Cashed in off much-reduced mark over 3m here in April. Likely last month's Stratford reappearance was needed and refitting of a visor may put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 4PP51-4

Sandy Boy^v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 113

7/2

Not one to set your watch by, but ran up to best when rallying well for second at Bangor (3m) 18 days ago. Up 1 lb ahead of this and not ruled with a repeat.

Form: 63-14P2

Lord Getaway^b1¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 109| C

8/1

Not disgraced when 9 lengths second of 8 at Southwell (3m) in June. Unseated early sole outing over hurdles 2 weeks ago but losing run tempers enthusiasm back over larger obstacles. Blinkered.

Form: 9/72-52U

Forecasts

Hard To Forget (3/1), Sandy Boy (7/2), Shanty Alley (4/1), Just Your Type (9/2), Indy Five (6/1), Lord Getaway (8/1)

A small field handicap chase with the narrow vote in favour of veteran INDY FIVE. He wasn't seen to best effect under a change of tactics on return at Chepstow in October and better can be expected from a 3 lb lower mark here. Shanty Alley, on return, and last year's winner Just Your Type head up the dangers.