Sixt Car Hire Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 21.27s

Oscar Robertson²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 120| C

6/5

Strong at the finish when winning over 21f at Hereford last November. Respectable effort on his return to action at Newbury 3 weeks ago and this return to 3m should suit. Big player.

Form: 4/4144-6

Boughtbeforelunch^b³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber| OR: 119

5/1

Consistent chaser in the main who got his head back in front at Ludlow in May. Type to bounce back from a lesser run at Cheltenham back from a break last month. Respected.

Form: 3-6122P

Victory Echo^t,v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: M A Barnes| OR: 108| D

16/1

Would have every chance off this mark if reproducing the form of his effort at Ayr (20.5f) in May but he has struggled in 3 runs since, including at Kelso 18 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: P3-2055

Archie Brown^p²⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 107| D

12/1

Back to form out of blue for this yard when scoring in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Market Rasen in February. Much depends on whether's he's ready to roll after 9 months off.

Form: 3/704P1-

Thelongwayaround²⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 100| DWS

2/1

Fair hurdles winner who has been lightly raced in recent years but his Newcastle third when last seen in March shows he retains ability. Has had wind surgery since. Well handicapped on his peak form.

Form: 142/073-

Non-Runners

Grange Ranger²⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 9

T: Micky Hammond J: Alain Cawley

Cheque En Blanc²²⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 9

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Da Vinci Hand²⁰

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: Miss J E Foster J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Oscar Robertson (6/5), Thelongwayaround (2/1), Boughtbeforelunch (5/1), Grange Ranger (7/1), Archie Brown (12/1), Da Vinci Hand (12/1), Cheque En Blanc (12/1), Victory Echo (16/1)

The step back up to 3m and the slight drop in grade are two things in the favour of OSCAR ROBERTSON who is fancied to notch a second chase success. Boughtbeforelunch is reliable overall so appeals as one likely to get back on track after a below-par run at Cheltenham last month. Thelongwayaround has been given a chance by the handicapper so could also have a part to play if a wind op works.