13:35 Wetherby

Monday 26 December 2022

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 6m 28.71s

Fanion D'estruval³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 159

15/2

Improved performer last season, taking 2½m handicap at Newbury and matched that next 2 starts, third in Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Looked rusty and never figured on return in Coral Gold Cup on return but he's undoubtedly a very smart performer on his day. Not ruled out.

Form: 41234-7

Chantry House^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: R T Dunne| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| C| D

15/2

High-class chaser at his best who added to his tally in Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January. Pulled up in Gold Cup next start and got no further than the fourth on return/following wind op in the Many Clouds at Aintree 3 weeks ago. This should reveal more.

Form: 1/1P1P-U

Sounds Russian²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 157

13/2

Hasn't looked back since sent over fences, finding further progress to gain fourth success on return at Kelso (26f) in October. Creditable fourth (without looking likely winner) in Many Clouds Chase at Aintree 23 days ago and he's a player returned to handicaps despite career-high mark.

Form: 1112-14

Aye Right³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 156| D

33/1

Very smart chaser who landed the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last winter. Overfaced in Gold Cup final start but quickly back to best when second on return at Kelso (26f) in October. Rare poor display in this year's renewal of first-named race but likely type to bounce back.

Form: 5139-2P

Kalashnikov^t⁶⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 155| C

20/1

Without a win since landing Grade 1 event at Aintree in 2018/19 but has run some good races in defeat since, third in the Denman Chase at Newbury during early 2021. Fourth in Ryanair Chase of that season but he's been absent since.

Form: 857234/

Sporting John⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 151| BF| D

9/1

Grade 1 novice chase winner who didn't kick on in this sphere during early 2021. However, firmly back on track when landing 2 of his 3 starts in staying handicap hurdles last winter and he may well come on for his return fourth in a Grade 2 hurdle here in October.

Form: FP/141-4

Shan Blue²⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| BF| CD

5/2

Grade 1 winner as a novice who was in process of delivering most visually impressive display when falling 3 out in last season's Charlie Hall. Never figured in Ryanair next start but back on track when runner-up in Aintree handicap (25f) final start. Has to rate a serious player on return.

Form: 252/F62-

Zanza^b³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144

14/1

Ran poorly on reappearance but back over fences, ran well when runner-up over 19.4f here on his penultimate run prior to enhancing his excellent record at Newbury (22.4f) 4 weeks ago. More on his plate in this stronger affair from 10 lb higher now, though.

Form: P8P-621

Top Ville Ben^h⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 144| CD

18/1

Very capable hurdler/chaser on his day who won this back in 2019 and best effort since over fences when third 12 months ago. Tasted success over hurdles thereafter and he comes here having showed plenty of zest when third on return over timber in November.

Form: F312P-3

Windsor Avenue³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: B Ellison| OR: 143| D

25/1

Well served by fitting of blinkers when taking Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January. Pulled up next 3 starts (including on return) but bounced back to form when fourth in the Rehearsal at Newcastle 4 weeks ago. Task is to build on that now.

Form: P1PP-P4

Into Overdrive^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 142| C| D

4/1

Different proposition over fences, completing the 4-timer on reappearance run here (19.4f) in October. Improved further when beaten only by L'Homme Presse in the Rehearsal 4 weeks ago and he remains very much one to be interested in.

Form: 4111-12

Non-Runners

Lostintranslation³⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 10

T: J Tizzard J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Shan Blue (5/2), Into Overdrive (4/1), Sounds Russian (13/2), Fanion D'estruval (15/2), Chantry House (15/2), Sporting John (9/1), Zanza (14/1), Top Ville Ben (18/1), Kalashnikov (20/1), Lostintranslation (25/1), Windsor Avenue (25/1), Aye Right (33/1)

SHAN BLUE was in the process of delivering one of the most visually impressive displays in the Charlie Hall's recent history when falling 3 out on return last winter and, whilst unable to build on the promise of that run in 2 starts thereafter, he's well worth another chance to prove his mark of 148 a lenient one on return for his leading yard. Into Overdrive and Sounds Russian are 2 upwardly mobile chasers and rate live dangers, whilst Sporting John is another to keep an eye on.