Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 23.39s

Seemorelights^p⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 122| CD

5/1

Failed to land a blow on C&D return in November, but much more like it when opening his chase account in first-time cheekpieces back here last month. 6 lb rise tolerable and he's a big player.

Form: 2349-51

Royal Arcade⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 119| D

3/1

Carlisle novice hurdle winner last term and duly stepped up on low-key chase debut when second in a 4-runner handicap here (20.5f) in December. Drop back in trip no bad thing and couldn't rule out.

Form: 213-52

Castlegrange^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: K Scott| OR: 118

16/1

Good second in a big-field Limerick handicap hurdle during the Christmas period, but well held at Cork since and he's opposable back over fences for new connections.

Form: P46P28

Kalaharry⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 113| C| D

4/1

Fortunate to take 2m Hexham handicap chase last spring. Creditable third over 23.4f at Newcastle in December, but that effort is punctuated by two poor performances and others look more solid.

Form: 2-12637

Gallic Geordie²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 109| D

3/1

In fine form since returning to action in November, winning 3 on the bounce at around 2m prior to solid placed efforts at Newcastle and Haydock the last twice. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 811132

Ardera Cross^p³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 95| CD

4/1

Three-time winner here early last year and back on the scoresheet with a game display over C&D in January. Hard to quibble with a 3 lb rise, but this is a more demanding assignment.

Form: 534441

Non-Runners

Victory Echo¹¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: M A Barnes J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Royal Arcade (3/1), Gallic Geordie (3/1), Ardera Cross (4/1), Kalaharry (4/1), Victory Echo (9/2), Seemorelights (5/1), Castlegrange (16/1)

None of these can be ruled out with complete confidence. SEEMORELIGHTS had subsequent winners Ardera Cross and Victory Echo, both of whom renew rivalry, behind when resuming winning ways over C&D last time. A 6 lb rise looks fair and the 10-y-o is taken to strike again, perhaps at the chief expense of the consistent Gallic Geordie. Royal Arcade is unexposed and also merits consideration.