NSPCC School Service Simply Ned Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:14 | Winning time: 4m 4.75s

Nuts Well¹⁶²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 153| CD

7/2

Very smart chaser who landed 23f listed chase here in March. Failed to fire last 2 starts, albeit at a much higher level. Won this on his reappearance 3 of the last 4 seasons, including last year off 4 lb higher, so makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 53P164-

Malystic¹⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: P D Niven| OR: 144

15/8

Won twice as a novice chaser in 2020/21. Off 11 months prior to only 2 starts last season but produced a smart performance when runner-up in listed handicap at Ayr in April. Lost a shoe when not disgraced at Kempton following month. Respected.

Form: 132/U2-4

Nero Rock^p¹⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 132| D

8/1

Took a while to get off the mark over fences but it all clicked this spring with a pair of Sedgefield handicap wins in May. Below par in a couple of small-field events at Hexham following month, however.

Form: 2U-1122

Gold Des Bois^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 127| CD

6/4

Fairly useful hurdles/chase winner in Ireland and off the mark for this yard in 4-runner C&D handicap on return last month, beating a subsequent winner. 6 lb higher in stronger contest now but is race fit.

Form: 2U453-1

Forecasts

Gold Des Bois (6/4), Malystic (15/8), Nuts Well (7/2), Nero Rock (8/1)

NUTS WELL has made a winning reappearance in this race 3 times in the last 4 years, including 12 months ago off 4 lb higher, so looks the one to beat. Malystic hasn't had much racing in the last 18 months but seems to retain all his ability and rates the main threat.