Download The At The Races App Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 4m 12.92s

Minella Hub²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: Harry Bannister| T: P G Murphy| OR: 122

5/4

Failed to trouble the judge in 3 spins over hurdles but different proposition since switched to fences, landing 17f Plumpton handicaps in decisive fashion the last twice. Likely he has more to offer.

Form: F-46611

Across The Line^p,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| CD

7/2

Dual hurdles winner who struck at third time of asking in this sphere over C&D in November. Subsequent efforts have been respectable in the main and should make his presence felt.

Form: 214222

Out On The Tear^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: S Allwood| OR: 117| D

5/1

Won a 2m Catterick handicap for the second year running in December. Placed both starts since, latterly in a first-time tongue strap (retained here) at Newbury, but current mark probably sums him up.

Form: 2-45133

Clear The Runway^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 111| BF

10/3

Landed a gamble in good style on chase debut at Musselburgh (20.3f) last month. Failed by a whisker in follow-up bid over the same C&D (would've won but for a mistake 2 out) and he's a big player.

Form: 345312

Old Harry Rocks^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 92| D

40/1

Landed a gamble off reduced mark in 21f Newton Abbot novices' handicap chase last spring. However, finished 28 lengths adrift of Minella Hub when third on return at Plumpton 3 weeks ago.

Form: 81-2343

Forecasts

Minella Hub (5/4), Clear The Runway (10/3), Across The Line (7/2), Out On The Tear (5/1), Old Harry Rocks (40/1)

This should boil down to a duel between CLEAR THE RUNWAY and Minella Hub, both of whom have made positive starts to their chase careers and remain open to improvement in this sphere. The latter is not passed over lightly, but he may struggle to concede 11 lb to Clear The Runway, who would be 2-2 over fences but for a bad mistake 2 out at Musselburgh last time. Across The Line is best of the rest.