15:33 Hereford

Sunday 5 February 2023

All13:3314:0314:3315:0315:3316:0316:33

Black Mountain Botanicals Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 3m 59.75s

Twotwothree⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: R T Dunne| T: S Allwood| OR: 107| D

11/1

Three-time winner over fences and largely creditable efforts (including over hurdles) last term. However, reportedly bled when pulled up on return/yard debut in November so comes with risks attached.

Form: 4F243-P

Billingsley^p1²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 105| CD

3/1

Fair handicap chaser who continues to hold his form, albeit carried zero win threat when third at Chepstow latest. Headgear now given a whirl.

Form: 442-333

Court Royale^p⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 104| D

9/2

After 4 months off, took advantage of reduced mark at Ffos Las (2m) in October. Shaped as if still in form when second of 3 at Ludlow (2m) next time, not recovering after a bad mistake 4 out. Claims.

Form: 2-32412

Rooster Cogburn^h¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 98

7/2

Winning chaser who shaped as if needing the run after 16 months off at Ffos Las last month. Probably went off too hard for his own good there next time but leap of faith still required.

Form: 41FP-56

Starvoski^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 97| D

16/5

Signed off last term with a decisive success in first-time cheekpieces in a mares' handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter. Bettered previous efforts in this sphere when fourth of 11 at Ffos Las (2m, soft) on return but disappointed next time.

Form: 9PP1-43

Megalodon²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Henderson| OR: 77| D

12/1

Decent third at Lingfield in December but no recent form otherwise, pulled up last 2 starts. 2 lb out of handicap.

Form: 24/63PP

Broadoak³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 71

9/1

No solid form, including on chase bow 5 weeks ago. 8 lb out of handicap.

Form: P06-0P

Non-Runners

Ardmayle⁶⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 11

T: A Stronge J: Brendan Powell

Ben Brody³²

Weight: 10-13| Age: 13

T: D J Jeffreys J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Billingsley (3/1), Starvoski (16/5), Rooster Cogburn (7/2), Court Royale (9/2), Ardmayle (11/2), Broadoak (9/1), Twotwothree (11/1), Megalodon (12/1), Ben Brody (20/1)

ARDMAYLE is only 1 lb higher than for his win at Southwell in March and he shaped well enough on his return there in November. Court Royale fared better than the distance beaten suggests at Ludlow and rates the main threat ahead of Billingsley.