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Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 7.60s

Captain Zebo¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 136| D

9/2

Very useful handicapper who has gained four of his 5 hurdle victories for this yard at Carlisle. Has a good record fresh but shaped as if better for the run in a useful contest at Cartmel on reappearance 2 weeks ago and this is less competitive.

Form: 16/445-7

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Chapmanshype^b,t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 128

14/1

Took a step back in the right direction in first-time blinkers when second in 5-runner handicap at Newton Abbot (18.5f, good to soft) 31 days ago, left behind by winner between last 2. Good claims if building on that back up in trip.

Form: 45209-2

Ask Paddington^h²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 125| CD

2/1

Much better signs for present yard of late, confirming promise of his C&D second when running out an authoritative winner at Market Rasen (20.6f) 23 days ago. Remains with handicapping scope and can win again.

Form: 7670-21

Merry Berry²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| D

9/4

Has a likeable way going about things and completed 4-timer in small-field affair (15/8) at Aintree (20f, good) 29 days ago, jumping well and asserting between last 2. That was a thin contest, but further progress can't be ruled out.

Form: 52/111-1

Big Bad Bear²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 121| D

4/1

Capitalised on a much-reduced mark when bagging 2m4f handicaps at Newcastle and Perth late last season. Couldn't complete the hat-trick at Aintree last month but still ran creditably.

Form: 54811-4

Forecasts

Ask Paddington (2/1), Merry Berry (9/4), Big Bad Bear (4/1), Captain Zebo (9/2), Chapmanshype (14/1)

ASK PADDINGTON came clear with an improver in a good time over C&D early last month and confirmed that promise when scoring with plenty in hand at Market Rasen last time. He's subsequently been hit with an 8 lb rise but that doesn't look enough to prevent the follow up given he remains well treated on old form. Merry Berry completed the 4-timer in a thin contest at Aintree but may not have finished improving yet.