William Hill Extra Places Every Day Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 6.20s

Scene Not Herd¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132| D

17/2

Excellent start over fences last term, winning 3 on the bounce before a below-par display at Sandown (soft ground perhaps to blame). Shaped as though amiss on recent Kempton reappearance (again on soft) and while quicker conditions are forecast here, he now has something to prove.

Form: 5/1114-P

Calico^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF

7/2

Won a pair of novice hurdles in early-2021 and good start over fences when runner-up on return at Cheltenham in October. Again found just one too good at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last time but suspect stamina (well held both attempts at around 2½m over hurdles) sounds note of caution.

Form: 2306-22

Bold Endeavour³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| D

5/4

Point/bumper winner who quickly made up into a borderline useful novice hurdler last season. Pulled up on return/chase debut at Carlisle where his jumping lacked fluency but he appeals as the type to make his mark over fences and very much of interest on first start for Nicky Henderson.

Form: 1113P-P

Golden Taipan^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| D

16/1

Won twice at Perth (at up to 3m) in June and back to form when second at Warwick in September. Below par both subsequent starts, though, and this may prove to be a shade too competitive for him.

Form: 117249

Arrivederci^t⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128| D

18/1

Pretty useful hurdler who was placed twice in competitive Ascot handicaps during 2020/21 campaign. However, offered little in a very light campaign last season and made a discouraging start over fences at Worcester in September.

Form: 023/4P-3

Ashington²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 122| D

4/1

Hurdles winner off this mark at Sedgefield in February and has started this season with a couple of creditable efforts in defeat over timber. Latest effort in this sphere was underwhelming but will be a threat if he clicks this time.

Form: 41-P935

Fairway Freddy³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 118| D

25/1

Resumed winning ways at Stratford in October and posted a solid second of 3 at Plumpton 2 days later. Failed to fire last time in a Wincanton handicap but capable of a bold show if able to bounce back.

Form: 15-F125

Forecasts

Bold Endeavour (5/4), Calico (7/2), Ashington (4/1), Scene Not Herd (17/2), Golden Taipan (16/1), Arrivederci (18/1), Fairway Freddy (25/1)

While BOLD ENDEAVOUR didn't have a good cut at his fences on debut in this sphere at Carlisle, the former point winner is nevertheless of strong interest starting out for Nicky Henderson given the promise he showed as a novice hurdler last season. Scene Not Herd would be a big player if able to get back on track but he has a bit to prove now following an inauspicious effort at Kempton, while Calico's stamina is in doubt. Ashington and Fairway Freddy are therefore nominated as the main dangers.