14:55 Doncaster

Saturday 5 March 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 8.8s

Cheddleton²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: J Candlish| OR: 148| D

15/8

Held his form well this season, another good effort when fourth to Celebre d'Allen at Warwick (20f) 21 days ago. Drops back to the minimum trip here and merits consideration once again.

Form: 13-3224

Malystic³²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Bewley| T: P D Niven| OR: 145| DWS

10/1

Developed into a useful novice last season, not quite seeing the trip out when second to Allmankind in an Ayr Grade 2 (20.5f) on his final start. Absence to overcome, but remains open to improvement.

Form: 2/21132-

The Big Bite³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 144| C| D

9/4

Typically brings his best to Doncaster and likely produced a career-best when a length second to Funambule Sivola over C&D 36 days ago. Holds an obvious chance again racing from the same mark.

Form: 236-UP2

King D'Argent³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

12/1

Highly progressive over fences last term, notching his third victory in this sphere at Warwick in March. Step back in right direction when fifth over C&D 36 days ago and he's not discounted.

Form: 12-3595

Bun Doran^p,t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 131| D

11/2

Overdid things in front at Sandown last time but proved he could still compete at this level when second there in January. Mark continues to fall and he's not out of it despite veteran status.

Form: 0-43424

Cedar Hill²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A M Thomson| OR: 127| D

15/2

Genuine sort who enhanced good record at Kelso in December and gained a second win for the season at Musselburgh last month. Up to career-high mark in stronger race but can give another good account.

Form: 332151

Non-Runners

Return Ticket¹¹²

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: R Menzies J: Non Runner

Gaelik Coast³⁵

Weight: 11-1| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Fanzio²⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: R Hobson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cheddleton (15/8), The Big Bite (9/4), Gaelik Coast (9/2), Bun Doran (11/2), Cedar Hill (15/2), Fanzio (10/1), Malystic (10/1), King D'Argent (12/1), Return Ticket (12/1)

This is a really competitive affair and cases can be made for most of the field, but the vote goes to course-specialist THE BIG BITE, who got to within a length of Game Spirit winner Funambule Sivola last time and goes from the same mark here. Cheddleton is a reliable sort and is likely to go well again, whilst the veteran Bun Doran has been shaping better of late than his falling mark suggests.