Rhino.Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 5m 49.97s

Brulure Noire⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 107| BF

4/1

Hurdles winner in Ireland who justified support when opening account over fences at Ffos Las (2m) in November. Better than the result as he failed to get home on the heavy ground there (21f) next time and remains open to improvement. This shouldn't be as much of a slog and he's considered.

Form: 7106-15

Mister Bells^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 104

5/1

Not won for a while but shaped as if back in decent heart at Ayr (3m) last time, interference at a vital stage proving costly. Down another 2 lb and suspect he'll go well in re-fitted cheekpieces.

Form: 684355

Pileup²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 98

9/4

Took another step forward over hurdles having been supported after 3 months off when 7 lengths second to previous winner at Wetherby last time. No reason why he won't prove just as effective over fences (related to Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On) and he's one to note.

Form: 94-2472

First Class Return^p,t¹²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 97

11/1

Clear-cut winner of back-to-back 3m handicap chases at Southwell in March 2021 but shown little since, including back from 8 months off there in November (off again since).

Form: RP9U5-4

Boys Of Wexford⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 89

11/4

Runner-up sole start in Irish points and has upped his game since switched to chasing, scoring at Uttoxeter before a solid showing when second at Huntingdon on Boxing Day. Off a couple of months since and up 3 lb but should give it another good go.

Form: 0PP-812

Caro Des Flos¹²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: J S Smith| OR: 78

11/1

Looked firmly on the decline but down to a basement mark and found only one too good in C&D handicap in November. Not seen since and returns in a competitive race for the grade.

Form: P4-5PP2

Forecasts

Pileup (9/4), Boys Of Wexford (11/4), Brulure Noire (4/1), Mister Bells (5/1), Caro Des Flos (11/1), First Class Return (11/1)

MISTER BELLS was supported when catching the eye at Ayr last time, going well when shuffled back on the home turn. He's not been with Micky Hammond long and can end his losing run now in re-fitted cheekpieces. Brulure Noire has more races in him, while Boys of Wexford is another to consider.