Nick Embiricos Memorial 2022 Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 5m 6.43s

Ozzie Man³⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 100

5/2

Runner-up on the second of his 2 starts in bumpers at Fontwell in February 2021. Failed to build on hurdles debut promise at Lingfield (19.5f, heavy) when last seen 12 months ago but this former point winner is of strong interest now switched to fences.

Form: 1623/2-

Abaya Du Mathan^b,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 100| D

12/1

Creditable third on second run following a wind op when third of 12 at Worcester (23f, good) in August. Well held both completed starts but he's now 2 lb below the mark off which he hit the target over a similar trip to this at Ffos Las during the spring.

Form: P636F6

Notnow Seamus^b,t¹⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 94| D

18/1

Good strike rate over hurdles (5-11) but most recent success in that sphere was back in September 2018 and chase record stands at 0-12. On the upside, the handicapper is cutting this 11-y-o some slack (11 lb lower than he was this time last year).

Form: 5P/2PP-3

Who Is That^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: G Sheehan| T: C Gordon| OR: 77

5/4

Offered little over hurdles but looked the most likely winner when falling at the last on second chase start at Fontwell in March. Made amends when landing a 4-runner handicap chase back at Fontwell (19.5f, good) on recent reappearance and nudged up just 2 lb for that.

Form: 95PFB-1

Agent Saonois^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Reed| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 76

10/3

Opened hurdles account when scoring at Uttoxeter and positive enough start over fences when runner-up over this C&D (good to firm) last month. Possibilities off the same mark if able to build on that.

Form: 571752

Non-Runners

Counteract²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: Miss S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Who Is That (5/4), Ozzie Man (5/2), Agent Saonois (10/3), Counteract (8/1), Abaya Du Mathan (12/1), Notnow Seamus (18/1)

AGENT SAONOIS showed enough on his chase debut here to suggest that he's up to winning a race such as this off the same mark. He gets the nod ahead of Ozzie Man, who can be expected to step up on what he showed over hurdles now tackling the larger obstacles. Who Is That has to be respected on the back of his recent Fontwell success, while Abaya du Mathan would be a danger to all off this reduced mark were he to bounce back.