racehorselotto.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 10.00s

Eclair D'Ainay^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| D

11/2

Made it 3 from 4 when having front-running tactics deployed over fences when making all in 15.2f Wetherby handicap chase at Christmas, drawing clear. Revels in the mud and bold bid expected up 7 lb.

Form: 122-4P1

Financier^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 140| D

13/2

Dual winner over fences over 2m in the mud. Little impact on first run for 9 months at Ascot but 4 lb drop in the weights should help him out now.

Form: 3/27F1-7

Frero Banbou⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 134| BF| D

9/4

Won 2m Sandown handicap chase last March and back in good form the last twice, not so strong in the finish as the principals when third at Cheltenham 6 weeks ago. Big run expected for in-form yard.

Form: 314-433

One True King^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129| D

4/1

Responded well to this headgear when winning 2m Sandown handicap chase last month and early mistake did for him in warm Ascot novice handicap next time. Down 2 lb and could be a threat.

Form: 36-5214

Cedar Hill²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Burke| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124| D

11/1

Good record at Kelso, notching up a fourth win there in 17f handicap chase over Christmas, showing a good attitude under this rider. Back up 2 lb and in grade and suspect that may anchor him here.

Form: 0F-3321

Le Ligerien^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117| D

4/1

Useful hurdler at his peak and opened account over fences from reduced mark in 2m Chepstow handicap on heavy 15 days ago, jumping much better. Can go well if backing that up off 5 lb higher.

Form: 28-4181

Beaufort West²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 113| D

20/1

Dual hurdles winner for Colin Tizzard but not gone on from a promising start over fences for this yard a year ago, well beaten at Newbury 23 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 2P4-F05

Forecasts

Frero Banbou (9/4), Le Ligerien (4/1), One True King (4/1), Eclair D'Ainay (11/2), Financier (13/2), Cedar Hill (11/1), Beaufort West (20/1)

ECLAIR D'AINAY took apart a useful field at Wetherby over Christmas, a return to front-running tactics suiting him nicely. Such a ride brings out the best in him and he could be hard to catch again here despite a 7 lb rise. Frero Banbou confirmed his return to form with a fine run at Cheltenham 6 weeks ago and looks a big threat. Le Ligerien is also a player if backing up his Chepstow performance.