Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:22 | Winning time: 4m 24.9s

Sabbathical²³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 100| CD

2/1

Winner of this race off a 2 lb higher mark on second run of last season and also hit the target over hurdles at Exeter in January. Should be spot-on following reappearance spin in a Ffos Las handicap hurdle and he's very appealing.

Form: 31536-4

Gouet Des Bruyeres^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 99| BF| D

9/4

Had a bit up his sleeve when taking advantage of a drop in the weights over 2m at Southwell in September. Collared on the run-in when second in a 3-runner affair at Ludlow (2½m) since and dropping back in trip here looks a good move.

Form: 22P912

Master Malcolm^p,t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harrison Beswick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 94

10/1

Failed to get his head in front in bumpers/over hurdles but raised his game when landing back-to-back 2¼m Fontwell handicap chases last season. Another jolt of improvement will be needed if he's to complete the hat-trick (pulled up in void race October 25).

Form: 64P11-V

Follow Your Fire^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 90| D

9/1

Hexham scorer in May but arrives here out of sorts, again well held tried in a visor when eighth in the Southwell handicap chase won by Gouet des Bruyeres last time. Visor swiftly dispensed with and cheekpieces refitted.

Form: P9448V

Templier^p,t³⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 88| D

5/1

Wide-margin winner of 2m chase at Warwick last December but below par both subsequent starts (well behind Sabbathical in an Exeter handicap hurdle when last seen 10 month ago). Needs to bounce back on debut for new yard.

Form: 324138-

Moore Clouds²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: A Wilson| OR: 88

7/1

Displayed a fair level of ability over hurdles and while she was ultimately well held in a Kelso handicap back from a break last month, it's possible that this former Irish point winner will be seen in a better light now switched to fences.

Form: 08/23-46

Uncle O^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: C Hobson| OR: 78

25/1

Market Rasen handicap chase winner in July 2021 and has posted some decent efforts in defeat since, not least when second to Gouet des Bruyeres at Southwell in September. However, no show next time and he was a well-held third in this race off the same mark 12 months ago.

Form: 3-3P923

Forecasts

Sabbathical (2/1), Gouet Des Bruyeres (9/4), Templier (5/1), Moore Clouds (7/1), Follow Your Fire (9/1), Master Malcolm (10/1), Uncle O (25/1)

It was on the back of a reappearance run at Ffos Las that SABBATHICAL landed this race in 2021, and he is taken to repeat the dose off a 2 lb lower mark this time round. The 7-y-o was considerately handled on his return at the aforementioned Welsh track last month and it should be a case of all systems go here. Gouet des Bruyeres looks the most likely to deliver a potent challenge but don't rule out former point winner Moore Clouds, who may well step up on her hurdles form now sent chasing.