Plyvine Caterers Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 53.95s

Wandrin Star^t⁵¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-13| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 133

40/1

Has been lightly raced in recent times and hard to predict (pulled up on 3 of last 4 starts) including on return from 6 months off at Warwick (3m, soft) in November. Has been eased 5 lb at least.

Form: P/1P2-PP

Little River Bay^p⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| C

9/1

Useful chaser, gaining third small-field victory of 2021/22 in a mares' novice here (20f) in February. However, not at best at Cheltenham in April and she ran poorly back from 7 months off at Market Rasen in November.

Form: 1U312-P

Head To The Stars⁴⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 132| C

16/1

Veteran who has gained all 3 of his chase victories at this venue, the latest over 23.8f last December. Mixed bag has followed, unseating early on return at Ascot in November. Still, feasible to think a return to this venue can perk him up.

Form: 1623-6U

Ree Okka^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 129| BF

10/11

Irish point winner who landed 2 novice hurdles at up to 24.5f last winter. Has shaped well after a wind op on both runs over fences this term, hampered early when running-on fifth at Exeter (19.2f) 25 days ago. Very much one to consider off an unchanged mark.

Form: 2117-25

Didero Vallis^p³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123

4/1

Useful chaser at his best (third in last season's Kim Muir) and he ran creditably when third on return at Exeter (3m). Not for the first time failed to convince over the National fences in last month's Becher at Aintree and return to calmer waters a plus. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 843P-3U

Tide Times³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 122| C

16/5

Back-to-back winner over 23.8f here last spring and much sharper for his reappearance hurdles run when runner-up in a C&D handicap chase 37 days ago. Can go well again with a repeat.

Form: 211-602

Forecasts

Ree Okka (10/11), Tide Times (16/5), Didero Vallis (4/1), Little River Bay (9/1), Head To The Stars (16/1), Wandrin Star (40/1)

A low-mileage, dual winner over hurdles last season, REE OKKA has made a bright start over fences, an early incident leaving him poorly placed but noted finishing with running left when fifth at Exeter 5 weeks ago. Open to further improvement, this step up back up in trip is a plus and he could be the answer. Didero Vallis will find this less demanding than his assignment in the Becher and along with Tide Times, heads up the dangers.