weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 8.00s

Paddy's Poem¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 114| D

9/2

Low-key campaign last season but has fallen a long way in the weights as a result, and there were certainly positives to take from his belated reappearance spin at Huntingdon (2½m) 16 days ago. Down another 2 lb following that and needs taking seriously.

Form: 0/P37F-5

Generous Day²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 113| D

9/4

Notched fifth career success over fences at Southwell (20.4f) in November and good second at Warwick next time. Latest effort at Kempton where he was unable to lead wasn't one of his better ones, but he'll be dangerous if getting his own way up front here.

Form: 2-81247

For Langy⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 112

5/2

Ex-French Flat/hurdle winner who posted arguably his best effort yet in this sphere when second in a 5-runner handicap at Fontwell (19.5f) in November. Too keen at Ludlow since but will be a serious contender if settling better this time.

Form: 243-424

En Coeur^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 91| CD

9/4

Four-time winner here, the latest over C&D off 5 lb lower in January. However, put in his place both starts since, including back at this venue last time, and he's probably a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: 225164

Non-Runners

Flagrant Delitiep¹⁹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: R Walford J: Stan Sheppard

Forecasts

Generous Day (9/4), En Coeur (9/4), For Langy (5/2), Flagrant Delitiep (10/3), Paddy's Poem (9/2)

None of these look especially solid but, that said, PADDY'S POEM is appealing on the back of an encouraging reappearance at Huntingdon, an effort which suggested that this 12-y-o is more than capable of capitalising on the handicapper's mercy (now 19 lb lower than for his last success at Wincanton in March 2021). For Langy has the ability to feature, particularly if settling better than he did at Ludlow last time, but Generous Day may pose the biggest threat to the selection.