14:10 Wetherby

Sunday 26 December 2021

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 58.44s

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: R Hobson| OR: 150

33/1

All stamina and resumed winning ways in Grand National Trial at Haydock in the mud in February. However, let down by jumping at Auteuil in May and pulled up in the Becher at Aintree last time.

Form: 991P-FP

Top Ville Ben^h²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 150| CD

10/1

Three-time Wetherby winner, including this corresponding race in 2019, but he's clearly hard to train these days and has yet to fire since returning this season.

Form: 313/P5F

Cloudy Glen²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 150

8/1

Proved a revelation on the back of a breathing operation when landing the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (26f) 29 days ago, all out. Needs to prove he can back that up from a 10 lb higher mark, though.

Form: 50U2P-1

Lake View Lad^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: N W Alexander| OR: 149| CD

9/1

Won this in 2018 and ran creditably trying a veterans event for the first time after 8 months off when third at Haydock (25.6f) 25 days ago, one paced from 2 out. Eased 1 lb but this is tougher.

Form: 155F7-3

Good Boy Bobby²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 146| BF| C

4/1

Enhanced a good record fresh when scoring here on return in October and was only just denied back up in grade from 3 lb higher in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Remains of interest.

Form: 432-312

Takingrisks^b1²⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 145| D

33/1

Smashing veteran chaser who added the Sky Bet Chase to his CV in January. Turned in a lacklustre display back over fences in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time, so others make more appeal.

Form: P41P-66

Silver Hallmark⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145

5/2

Lightly-raced chaser who landed Haydock Grade 2 in January. Resumed from 9 months off with good fourth to Fiddlerontheroof in Carlisle listed chase (20f), so he needs considering with more to come.

Form: 317/21-4

Windsor Avenue⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 145| D

8/1

Good third to Canelo in this race 12 months ago. Unable to reproduce that in 2 subsequent starts last season but enhanced a fine record fresh when second to Snow Leopardess at Bangor on return.

Form: 2P360-2

Empire Steel³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 141

4/1

Useful form when winning a brace of novice events over fences last season and returned at the top of his game when beaten only by an improving one at Haydock (25,6f) 36 days ago. Player.

Form: 3/121P-2

Non-Runners

Debece²⁸⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 10

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Silver Hallmark (5/2), Good Boy Bobby (4/1), Empire Steel (4/1), Debece (6/1), Windsor Avenue (8/1), Cloudy Glen (8/1), Lake View Lad (9/1), Top Ville Ben (10/1), Lord Du Mesnil (33/1), Takingrisks (33/1)

SILVER HALLMARK isn't seen very often, but he quickly proved himself a useful chaser last season and looked as good as ever on his Carlisle return, so he makes plenty of appeal now stepping up to 3m for the first time in a handicap. Debece shaped very well at Sandown in March and looks interesting returning after another breathing operation, with Empire Steel and Good Boy Bobby also shortlisted.