Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 20.98s

African Dance^t⁴⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 121

11/1

Hurdles winner at Plumpton a couple of years ago and perfect start over fences when landing a 9-runner Ayr handicap (20.5f, good to soft) on sole start last season. Wellbeing has to be taken on trust following 14 months off but resumes on the same mark and this trip should within his range.

Form: 31314/1-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Geryville⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120

2/1

Scored twice last season and, though below par first 2 starts this time round, he took a step firmly back in the right direction when runner-up here (27.6f, good to soft) following a wind op on Boxing Day. 3 lb rise fair and another bold show on the cards.

Form: 212-342

Gwencily Berbas^b³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 117

10/1

Bagged an Exeter marathon off 7 lb higher last winter but ended that campaign on a low-key note. Hasn't returned in particularly good form this season and while he's dangerous to completely discount off this reduced mark, others make more appeal for win purposes.

Form: P59-564

Jaytee⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 113

10/3

Built on chase debut promise when landing a Taunton handicap last spring and hasn't done much wrong in 3 subsequent starts, finding just one too strong back in this sphere at Southwell (25.8f, good) recently. Likely to give another good account off the same mark.

Form: 7212-42

Diomede Des Mottes^b1¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 108| D

18/1

Runner-up in a beginners' chase at Hereford in November 2020 but little to shout about since, failing to complete on 4 of his 6 subsequent appearances (over hurdles and fences). Hopes pinned on the first-time blinkers sparking a revival.

Form: PP5/7FP

Jessie Lightfoot³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 97| BF| CD

2/1

Left John Groucott and returned to form when landing a 6-runner Southwell handicap (25.8f, good to soft) on yard debut in December. Premature exit wasn't her fault last time, though had been jumping sketchy prior to that and she will probably find one or two too good here.

Form: 414P-1B

Forecasts

Geryville (2/1), Jessie Lightfoot (2/1), Jaytee (10/3), Gwencily Berbas (10/1), African Dance (11/1), Diomede Des Mottes (18/1)

Provided all is well following a 14-month absence, AFRICAN DANCE could be the answer. He made a winning chase debut at Ayr on his sole appearance last season and resumes here on the same mark. Geryville will be a big threat if backing up his latest effort and he is second choice ahead of Jaytee.