14:40 Perth

Friday 22 April 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:1816:53

William Hill Highland National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 7m 58.20s

Poppa Poutine¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131| BF

15/2

Hurdles winner who confirmed more positive signs over fences when strong at the finish to score at Wincanton (25f) in March. Good ½-length second to re-opposing I See You Well at Fontwell (26f) since and fancied to figure once more.

Form: 482212

Jimmil^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 130

28/1

Made light of his opening mark when successful at Navan (3m, heavy) back in March 2020. However, he's not figured in trio of starts since returning from a lengthy absence this term and would need to see market support to make him of significant interest.

Form: 415/P95

Amateur^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: J L Flint| OR: 128

6/1

Justified good support when landing West Wales National for second successive year at Ffos Las (28f) 2 weeks ago, produced to lead 4 out and always in control after. 6 lb higher now but claims if arriving in same form.

Form: 41-55P1

I See You Well¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 128

16/1

9-y-o who is enjoying a productive 2021/22 campaign, edging out Poppa Poutine final 100 yds to go in again at Fontwell (26f) earlier this month. Raised only 2 lb for that and claims with consistency hard to knock.

Form: 162211

Dubai Devils^p³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: P Stafford| OR: 127

7/1

Irish raider who had no issue with increased stamina test when forging clear to score over 32f at Hexham in March. Handicapper has reacted but he's still low-mileage over extreme distances.

Form: 773241

Rath An Iuir²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 125

12/1

Landed his first two starts in this sphere at Carlisle (at up to 3m) during 2020. Missed last year but did catch the eye second start back when sixth in the Eider Chase in February. Kelso run since was disappointing but there's undoubtedly an air of unfinished business about him.

Form: 2/11-564

Oscar Robertson⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 125

9/1

8-y-o who made most of good opportunity to double chase tally at Wetherby (3m) in November. Pulled up next time but quickly back on track with pair of runners-up efforts at Hereford/Wincanton. Longer trip may bring about a little more progress.

Form: 4-61P22

Slipway²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 123

10/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler who belied odds of 33/1 when opening chase account at Southwell (3m) in January. Pulled up at Chepstow next time and whilst back to form when fifth at Newbury (22.4f) 3 weeks ago, he was never dangerous.

Form: 2B-P1P5

Ladronne^p1,t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: T Collier| OR: 115WS

8/1

Fair winning hurdler who stepped up on his Wetherby run in February when doubling chase tally at Newcastle (23.4f) last month, responding well to regain lead on run-in. That may not prove his limit. Cheekpieces added on back of a wind op.

Form: 43-1631

Glittering Love^b²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 113

18/1

Fair hurdler/chaser who reacted well to first-time blinkers when leading close home over fences at Carlisle (26f) in December. Not in same form next 2 starts but back on track with a second-place finish over hurdles at Hexham last month.

Form: 651642

Some Detail³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 113

8/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who opened chase account at Taunton (23f) in February and backed that up when 5 lengths third over extended 28f at that venue in March. Should give another good account in present groove.

Form: 437413

Seaston Spirit^v³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Alain Cawley| T: O Sherwood| OR: 110

66/1

Now 15 lb lower than for his Sussex National success at Plumpton (28.4f) last January, but it's been a struggle this season, first-time visor (again fitted) failing to spark a revival at Hexham (31.9f) last month.

Form: 5-P8P9P

Heavey^t,v⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106| C

20/1

Bounced back to form when off mark over fences in novices' handicap at Wincanton (25.1f, heavy) in January. However, not in same form either start since, pulled up at Newcastle (23.4f) early on last month. Bounce back called for.

Form: 27U14P

School Lane³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Ewing⁽³⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 106

11/1

In rude health during the winter, landing back-to-back handicaps at up to 21f. Hasn't been disgraced since, including when fourth faced with an inadequate test at Downpatrick (19.2f) in March. Worth another crack at this much longer trip.

Form: 111464

Straight Swap¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: D R Fox| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 105

20/1

Hurdles winner who was acquired for just £2,500 by present stable prior to finishing runner-up in a 3-runner Ayr handicap chase (27f) 10 days ago. That may not prove his limit but that doesn't appeal as solid form.

Form: 513652

Forecasts

Amateur (6/1), Dubai Devils (7/1), Poppa Poutine (15/2), Some Detail (8/1), Ladronne (8/1), Oscar Robertson (9/1), Slipway (10/1), School Lane (11/1), Rath An Iuir (12/1), I See You Well (16/1), Glittering Love (18/1), Heavey (20/1), Straight Swap (20/1), Jimmil (28/1), Seaston Spirit (66/1)

Plenty in with chances in a competitive renewal, the narrow vote in favour of AMATEUR. John Flint's charge justified market support when resuming winning ways at Ffos Las 2 weeks ago and, in the hope this doesn't come too quick, he can be expected to make his presence felt again. Some Detail will be a danger to all if they go a good pace, whilst School Lane, Dubai Devils and Poppa Poutine are others worth a look.