JenningsBet Christchurch Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 6m 36.5s

Fantastikas⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135

7/2

Largely progressive novice chaser last term and he showed up well for a long way in a 27f Cheltenham handicap on his reappearance. Struggled in Becher/Welsh National thereafter but given a break since and this rates more suitable.

Form: 17P-60P

Switch Hitter⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

11/2

Dual hurdles winner who made winning chase bow at Hereford (25.2f) last winter. Creditable placed efforts on 2 of next 3 starts but he did back out of things rather disconcertingly on Cheltenham return in December. Absent since.

Form: F/1322-7

Sam Barton^t⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 125

9/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who was better than ever when making winning return to action at Worcester (23f) in October. However, not in same form at Ludlow a month later and couple of others make more appeal back from a break.

Form: 3233-14

Ede'iffs Elton^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 116| BF| CDWS

5/4

All 3 career wins have come over fences at this course, the latest in this race 12 months ago. Running with credit in defeat late on last year and, on back of a wind op, it would come as no surprise to see a bold showing from what rates a handy mark.

Form: 14-PF34

Wake Up Early^p⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 115

9/1

Bright start for this yard last spring, adding to his tally at Market Rasen (27.5f) in May. Warmed to his task when second on return at Musselburgh (31.5f) in November but not in same form in Borders National at Kelso a month later. Still, this rates more suitable.

Form: 13-2127

Non-Runners

Captain Tommy⁵³

Weight: 10-10| Age: 9

T: Ian Williams J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Ede'iffs Elton (5/4), Fantastikas (7/2), Sam Barton (9/2), Switch Hitter (11/2), Wake Up Early (9/1), Captain Tommy (10/1)

EDE'IFFS ELTON wasn't shaping up at all badly late on last year, and having enhanced his solid record over this C&D when taking this race 12 months ago, he could well be ready to strike operating from only 1 lb higher now. Fantastikas, returned to calmer waters, and Wake Up Early may emerge as the chief threats.