Macer Gifford Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 4m 1.80s

Fulgurix¹⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117| D

6/4

Relatively lightly raced and showed improved form when off the mark in handicap chase at Hexham (15.6f, good to soft, 11/4) in May, drawing well clear with the runner-up. Can follow up after a break.

Form: 44222-1

Rafferty^h,t²¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 109

7/1

Won 2 of first 3 starts for this yard, with his latest success at Southwell (20.4f, soft) in January. However, below form both outings since, pulled up when last seen in March. Still 4 lb above last winning mark on return.

Form: 31413P-

Monte Igueldo^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 109| D

5/2

Ran to a fair level only start in France and, after 5 months off, finally showed his form in Britain when winning a Worcester maiden (2m, soft) last month. Can go well now switched to chasing,

Form: 52P5P-1

Dame du Soir^p²⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 104| D

11/4

Form went the wrong way over both fences and hurdles last season, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (25f, soft) on her final outing of the campaign. Has enough to prove after 8 months off.

Form: 36453P-

Non-Runners

Getaman³²

Weight: 10-4| Age: 9

T: D J Jeffreys J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Fulgurix (6/4), Monte Igueldo (5/2), Dame du Soir (11/4), Getaman (5/1), Rafferty (7/1)

FULGURIX remains relatively lightly raced for his age and opened his account at Hexham when last seen in May, battling well to see off the runner-up with the pair drawing a long way clear. The 7-y-o can continue his progress to follow up, with last-time-out hurdles winner Monte Igueldo feared most on his chase debut. Getaman is the pick of the remainder.