Happy 80th Birthday John Balloch Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 7.1s

Magna Sam²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 109| D

6/1

Wide-margin winner of Ludlow hunter in January 2020. Best effort since when fifth of 9 in 24.2f Exeter handicap chase on return/debut for new yard and possibilities here if able to build on that.

Form: F6-6PP5

Upandatit^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107

11/8

Ex-pointer who immediately stepped up on hurdling exploits when third on recent reappearance/debut over fences at Ayr (20.5f). Major claims now upped in trip off the same mark.

Form: 8835-43

Off The Beat²³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 107

7/2

More miss than hit since landing a Newcastle novice hurdle in January 2020, but would be in with a fighting chance off this mark if things were to click for him at the first attempt over fences.

Form: P45520-

Raecius Felix²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 106

3/1

Successful twice in 2020 and his placed efforts here and at Sedgefield since returning from a break have been creditable. Couldn't be sure that he'll welcome this step back up in trip, though.

Form: P5-5333

Old Jewry^v1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke| OR: 93

14/1

Successful 3 times over hurdles during a productive 2020/21, but there are very few positives to glean from this season's efforts. Hopes pinned on new headgear/return to fences sparking a revival.

Form: 1-89978

Non-Runners

Anywayyoulookatit¹⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Forecasts

Upandatit (11/8), Raecius Felix (3/1), Off The Beat (7/2), Magna Sam (6/1), Anywayyoulookatit (10/1), Old Jewry (14/1)

UPANDATIT is easily the most appealing of these on the back of an encouraging chase debut at Ayr, where he put in a good round of jumping and shaped as though this stiffer test would be in his favour. With stamina concerns surrounding Raecius Felix, and Anywayyoulookatit and Old Jewry both struggling for form, Off The Beat and Magna Sam are taken to fill the places.