Billy Preston Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 5.80s

Topofthecotswolds⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129| D

9/2

Returned to his best when second in 19f Wetherby handicap but was found out in better company than he normally keeps at Cheltenham next time. Down a couple of pounds and every chance of bouncing back.

Form: 56P2U7

Bobhopeornohope^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 128

5/2

Low-mileage hurdler (successful twice) who improved in first-time cheekpieces to open his account over fences at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. 5 lb rise fair so he warrants respect.

Form: 1P-P341

Minella Till Dawn²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

40/1

Consistent Irish chaser for Gordon Elliott who has offered little in a couple of outings for current connections. Continues to tumble in the weights but needs to show more before becoming of interest.

Form: P14P-5P

Not A Role Model^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: S Thomas| OR: 126| BF| D

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who jumped well when finding only an improver too good over fences at Chepstow on return. Not so good at Fakenham since and needs to leave that effort behind to feature.

Form: 1166-24

Karl Philippe³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124

13/8

Unbeaten in bumpers and opened hurdles account in good style at Exeter last February. Made a promising chase bow/return but was amiss (bled) at Ascot since. Still has potential so he's shortlisted.

Form: 21P3-25

Gardefort³⁰⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| C

13/2

Smart chaser at his best but firmly in the veteran stage nowadays, barely staying at Carlisle (24.5f) when last seen 10 months ago. Down 4 lb though and respected given he's gone well fresh.

Form: 2P/2P33-

Non-Runners

No Getaway⁴⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Bridget Andrews

Forecasts

Karl Philippe (13/8), Bobhopeornohope (5/2), Topofthecotswolds (9/2), Gardefort (13/2), No Getaway (10/1), Not A Role Model (11/1), Minella Till Dawn (40/1)

A few in with a shout but KARL PHILIPPE bumped into a progressive sort on his chase debut/return at Carlisle in October and with his next effort easily excused (reportedly bled), Fergal O'Brien's charge gets the nod. Gardefort isn't getting any younger, but having gone well fresh in the past heads the dangers, ahead of recent Market Rasen scorer Bobhopeornohope.