Reg & Betty Tweedie Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 7m 30.10s

Big Nasty^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 121| BF

6/4

Belatedly shed maiden tag from a 1 lb lower mark at Southwell (3m) 12 months ago and filled runners-up spot on 3 of his 5 starts since, latterly at Cheltenham (25f) 3 weeks ago. Big player with a repeat.

Form: 122P42-

Yaiza^t⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 111

7/1

Hurdles/chase winner in Ireland but below best over both sets of obstacles during the winter for present yard. However, break may have perked him up and he's one to monitor closely in the betting now fitted with tongue tie.

Form: 60070P-

Ecossais^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 110| BF

3/1

Three-time winner over fences at Southwell during 2020/21 campaign. Form has been a little up and down more recently but he did run respectably when fourth at aforementioned venue 4 weeks ago. Different headgear tried.

Form: U42P24-

Rapid Raider²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 99

85/40

Stepped up on the back of a wind op, completing hat-trick at Musselburgh (23.7f) in December. Remained in form subsequently, just found wanting for change of pace in a steadily-run affair when fourth at Newcastle latest. Not discounted up in trip.

Form: 116224-

Forecasts

Big Nasty (6/4), Rapid Raider (85/40), Ecossais (3/1), Yaiza (7/1)

A winner from a 1 lb lower mark at Southwell 12 months ago, BIG NASTY arrives having again run well when runner-up at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago and, with the step back up in trip holding no fears, he looks sure to go well again. Rapid Raider may emerge next best, ahead of Ecossais.