Jarrold Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 34.75s

Ornua^p,t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 127| D

33/1

Little show on first 3 starts for this yard since leaving Henry de Bromhead but stopped the slide somewhat in a first-time tongue strap (and cheekpieces back on) when third at Warwick earlier this month. Wouldn't be sure to build on that here though.

Form: 13899-3

Percussion^p,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 125

2/1

Revitalised by cheekpieces/tongue strap combination, easily landing 20f handicap chase at Southwell last month and better than ever when following up there 13 days ago. Same trainer/jockey combination won this last year and looks sure to go well in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 13841-1

Topofthecotswolds¹⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122

6/1

Returned to his best when second in 19f Wetherby handicap in November but hasn't got close to that form on all 3 completed starts since. Mark continues to tumble and hopes pinned on a 3-month break sparking a revival.

Form: P2U756-

Ballinsker^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120

5/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after wins in weak events at Plumpton and Chepstow in recent months. 9 lb higher mark to contend with and this is tougher. (Ran in void race at former course on April 18th).

Form: 22311V-

Isaac Wonder⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 118| BF

20/1

Unreliable sort for Michael Scudamore but he's got his act together between the flags this month for this yard, winning twice from 3 starts (runner-up on other occasion). Dangerous if translating that form back under Rules.

Form: 442-121

Shetland Bus^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 116

9/2

Completed hat-trick over hurdles at Perth last summer for Justin Landy but has looked a long way off that form on 3 outings over fences for this yard, finishing a well-beaten second at Uttoxeter just over 3 weeks ago. Mark eases a shade further and stable amongst the winners.

Form: S35P4-2

Al Roc^p,t¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 114| D

3/1

Didn't need to improve to post his first win on British soil when scoring at Newton Abbot 11 days ago, gaining some much-deserved reward for his recent consistency. Nudged up just 2 lb and shouldn't be far away once again.

Form: P3832-1

Forecasts

Percussion (2/1), Al Roc (3/1), Shetland Bus (9/2), Ballinsker (5/1), Topofthecotswolds (6/1), Isaac Wonder (20/1), Ornua (33/1)

A few in with a shout but PERCUSSION is fancied to continue Laura Morgan's fine start to the season and make it 3 on the spin having been revitalised by the cheekpieces/tongue strap combination in recent weeks. The main threat could be Al Roc, who gained reward for a string of consistent efforts when scoring at Newton Abbot 11 days ago. Ballinsker completes the shortlist.