13:53 Wetherby

Saturday 12 November 2022

All12:0812:4313:1813:5314:2815:0315:38

Grahame Suttle & Steve Currer, Racing Forever Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:54 | Winning time: 4m 49.67s

Soldier Of Destiny^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 137| D

11/4

Dual 2m4f chase winner who shaped encouragingly when fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Aintree (19.9f) 20 days ago, not enjoying clear run after 3 out. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 45131-5

Yes Indeed²³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

18/1

Failed badly to build on the promise of his Newbury second when only third of 4 in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f) in March. Worth another chance on his seasonal return.

Form: 2/15623-

Karl Philippe²²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| D

7/2

Dual scorer at Ludlow who signed off for last term with good second of four there despite some poor jumping. Weighted to go well on his reappearance for in-form yard.

Form: 3/25112-

Zanza^b1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133| D

11/1

Ran poorly after 6 months off when sixth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (20.6f) 28 days ago. Blinkered for 1st time back chasing and it's now eleven runs since last win in 2020.

Form: 2PP8P-6

Xcitations²⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 132

11/2

Has made a very positive start over fences and ended last season with back-to-back 2m wins at Doncaster and Leicester. Proven over this longer trip and very much one to consider for yard among the winners.

Form: 3/22511-

Small Present³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 128

14/1

Fairly useful winner at 25f over hurdles who shaped encouragingly when fourth of 7 in handicap chase at Carlisle (24.5f) 30 days ago. Needs considering with that run under his belt.

Form: 3165P-4

The King Of May²⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 127| D

16/1

Largely consistent last term when a two-time winner around 2m4f at Sedgefield and Newcastle. Can give another good account on his seasonal return.

Form: 192214-

The Vollan^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 125

22/1

In fine fettle back over fences in recent months, scoring four times, until beating only one at Fakenham last month. Cheekpieces replace usual visor and he's the sort to bounce back.

Form: 112517

Batman For Ever³⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 122| D

9/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser at up to 2m4f in France. Resumes after 12 months off but he can't be discounted for new yard. Worth a market check.

Form: 6/11112-

Defi Sacre^t²³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: R Hobson| OR: 117

7/1

Winless since early 2021, and below-form fourth in handicap chase at Carlisle last time. Others are preferred.

Form: 2/44554-

Forecasts

Soldier Of Destiny (11/4), Karl Philippe (7/2), Xcitations (11/2), Defi Sacre (7/1), Batman For Ever (9/1), Zanza (11/1), Small Present (14/1), The King Of May (16/1), Yes Indeed (18/1), The Vollan (22/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but Pam Sly has her string in excellent nick so her XCITATIONS is taken to make a winning return and build on his fine start over fences. Karl Philippe is weighted to have a big say on his reappearance, especially if improving his jumping, while Soldier of Destiny isn't taken lightly either having not enjoyed the rub of the green at Aintree.