In Memory Of Tim Hale Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 8m 10.36s

Morning Spirit^p1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131

4/1

Ran to a useful level when second in 17-runner contest at this course (24.3f) in December and still going well when coming down 5 out here since. Big player in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 35-2F2F

Canelo^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127

17/2

Rowland Meyrick winner at Wetherby last season but fell in Grand National on final start and below par all 5 starts this term.

Form: F-7P774

Moroder²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 127| C

11/4

Completed hat-trick when taking 4-runner handicap chase (5/1) at this course (24.2f, soft) 25 days ago. 6 lb higher now but can't be ruled out.

Form: 12-6111

Classic Ben^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 125

9/4

Confirmed return to form when second of 13 in handicap chase over C&D (soft, 8/1) 25 days ago. Remains fairly treated and must enter calculations.

Form: 247-7F2

Len Brennan^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: M F Harris| OR: 112| BF

7/2

Made winning start for new connections when taking 6-runner handicap chase at Plumpton (25.7f) last month but not in same form at Southwell since and now 7 lb higher.

Form: 245P14

Non-Runners

Equus Dreamer²⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Encounter A Giant¹⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: A Ralph J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Classic Ben (9/4), Moroder (11/4), Equus Dreamer (11/4), Len Brennan (7/2), Morning Spirit (4/1), Canelo (17/2), Encounter A Giant (20/1)

This can go to MORNING SPIRIT, who figures off a handy mark and was still travelling with purpose when falling here last time. Classic Ben and Equus Dreamer look the likeliest dangers.