Guinness Surge Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 38.37s

Le Grand Vert^p⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 92WS

11/2

Hurdles winner in France in summer 2021 but didn't make much of an impact in 3 starts (all over hurdles) on this side of the Channel last year. Again struggled on return at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and big step forward needed on first run over fences on these shores. Has had a breathing op.

Form: FF448-0

Maid Of Houxty³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans| OR: 88

3/1

Yet to win a race of any description but has low mileage for a horse of her age and she has put in good shifts on 2 of her last 3 starts, most recently finishing third of 10 off this mark in a handicap chase at Ayr (3m). Major player.

Form: 68-4243

Ballynagran^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 87

11/2

Backed at long odds, despite being 15 lb out of the handicap, and showed much improved form when off the mark in a Wetherby handicap chase (24.2f) in January. Not in anything like the same form at Sedgefield next time, though, and likely to again face competition for the lead.

Form: 46-031P

Catlin⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: N Kent| OR: 78| CD

7/4

Returned to form when scoring over C&D in November (making it 3-3 here in the process) and latest third at Catterick was a creditable effort. Eased 2 lb since and she has to enter calculations back here.

Form: PU-6143

To The Limit^b⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 76| D

9/2

Won 4-runner handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f), getting up late after getting outpaced. Misfired next time but better effort when third at Ayr recently and it would be no surprise were he to take a hand in the finish.

Form: 873183

Diamond Road^p³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 66

66/1

Yet to show any worthwhile form and looks set for another struggle from 4 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 0-P5P0F

Non-Runners

Not The Chablis⁷⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Catlin (7/4), Maid Of Houxty (3/1), To The Limit (9/2), Le Grand Vert (11/2), Ballynagran (11/2), Not The Chablis (6/1), Diamond Road (66/1)

This appears to be a good opportunity for MAID OF HOUXTY to get off the mark, with a mere reproduction of her latest third at Ayr likely to prove good enough in this company. Catlin has to be feared given that she's unbeaten in 3 starts here and Nick Kent's charge is clear second choice ahead of To The Limit.