Smalley Decorators Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 4m 27.13s

The Last Day³⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: S Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132| D

25/1

Fairly useful hurdler who improved over fences, scoring at Aintree just over 2 years ago. Little impact on both starts over hurdles last term though and returns from another lengthy absence now.

Form: 2114/56-

Shaman Du Berlais⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Daire James McConville⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 129| BF

13/8

Landed a gamble on chase/yard debut back from 20 months off at Stratford in May. Ridden too aggressively on next start at Chepstow 7 weeks ago and remains with potential. Leading claims.

Form: F242/13

Katpoli^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 129| D

9/2

Scored twice over fences in 2019/20 and given a considerate return having been off track for 14 months at Wetherby recently. Yard in good nick, and this should reveal how much ability remains.

Form: 7152/U-4

Thomas Macdonagh^b1,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 127

10/1

Opened account over fences at Catterick last season and having been dropped in the weights, bounced back to form when runner-up at this track (21.6f) 23 days ago. Shortlisted with blinkers applied.

Form: 1P2-7P2

Est Illic³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 117| D

14/1

Dual handicap chase winner at Bangor and Doncaster last winter and stepped up from his disappointing comeback when fourth over C&D 5 weeks ago. May sharpen up further and down another 4 lb in weights.

Form: 1136-P4

Oscars Leader^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 114| BF

15/2

Fairly useful 17f hurdles winner who made a promising start over fences after 9 months off when third at Warwick. Pulled up lame when a short-priced favourite next time so bounce back required.

Form: 2325-3P

Gallic Geordie⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: R Patrick| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 108| BF| D

3/1

Thriving at present, completing hat-trick in 2m handicap chase at Newbury last month. Narrowly denied 4-timer after 9 lb rise at Newcastle on Tuesday and looks sure to remain competitive.

Form: 581113

Forecasts

Shaman Du Berlais (13/8), Gallic Geordie (3/1), Katpoli (9/2), Oscars Leader (15/2), Thomas Macdonagh (10/1), Est Illic (14/1), The Last Day (25/1)

SHAMAN DU BERLAIS landed a gamble sent chasing after a 20-month absence at Stratford back in May and, with his reappearance effort at Chepstow easily excused (did too much mid-race), Kerry Lee's charge gets the vote to regain the winning thread. Gallic Geordie was narrowly denied a 4-timer on Tuesday so he's expected to be involved in his current mood, with Thomas Macdonagh next on the list.