TCS Recruitment Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 59.32s

Blueberry Wine^t³⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 106| BF

16/1

Fair dual winner over fences last season but off 10 months and career best probably required to defy current mark.

Form: 813313-

Sabbathical²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 102| C| D

9/1

Showed benefit of comeback run when scoring over fences at Fakenham (2m) in November. Backed it up with a creditable second at Sedgefield before possible excuses next 2 starts. Could bounce back.

Form: 6-412P7

Elmount^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph| OR: 101

9/2

Modest performer for Ross O'Sullivan in Ireland, respectable fifth of 14 on debut over fences at Downpatrick last spring. Good third on return/debut for this yard over hurdles at Uttoxeter 19 days ago so not taken lightly back in this sphere.

Form: 5788-53

Ben Buie^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: M Keighley| OR: 96| CD

11/4

Arrives at the top of his game having won 3 of his last 4 starts, jumping well when making all at Fakenham 2 weeks ago. Must be respected up 4 lb.

Form: 321311

Go As You Please^p⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: P R Webber| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Tricky sort who hasn't exactly covered himself in glory since landing a 4-runner Warwick handicap chase last season, running poorly at Taunton 84 days ago.

Form: 73-5256

Line Of Descent^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: W Greatrex| OR: 93| BF

5/2

Has taken well to fences, placed all 3 starts, including 4 lengths third of 8 to Ben Buie in handicap at Fakenham 2 weeks ago, finishing with running left (let down by jumping). Well in the mix off an unchanged mark.

Form: 0-57223

Letsbe Avenue^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 85

4/1

Quickly off the mark over jumps for new yard in Taunton handicap chase in December, albeit rather fortunate. Got no further than the first there 9 days ago but may still have more to offer for this stable.

Form: 9724-1U

Forecasts

Line Of Descent (5/2), Ben Buie (11/4), Letsbe Avenue (4/1), Elmount (9/2), Sabbathical (9/1), Go As You Please (16/1), Blueberry Wine (16/1)

LINE OF DESCENT was only 4 lengths behind Ben Buie despite making a race-altering blunder at Fakenham 2 weeks ago so is fancied to come out on top this time on 4 lb better terms. Letsbe Avenue got no further than the first at Taunton recently, but he'd made a winning debut for this yard there prior to that so must be respected.