Langley Castle An Outstanding Small Hotel Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 5m 54.20s

Chameron^p,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Mark McDonagh⁽⁵⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 122

9/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who posted a good second in first-time cheekpieces in 5-runner chase at Down Royal (19.6f, soft) 11 days ago. Not discounted.

Form: PU1-332

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Joke Dancer^p⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115

12/1

Landed a pair of handicaps at Kelso (17f) last spring. Made a creditable return from 5-month break when runner-up at Wetherby in October but he's been operating below that level since.

Form: 263056

High Moon²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 113

11/8

Fairly useful hurdles winner who comes here in good nick over fences, third of 7 in handicap chase at Kelso (21.6f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Can race off a 3 lb lower mark here so rates a player.

Form: 732333

Diamond State^p,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 111| D

9/2

Scored at Musselburgh in December and not disgraced when second of 4 in handicap chase at Musselburgh (20.3f, good to soft) 27 days ago, though no match for winner. Shortlisted.

Form: 231432

Big Changes^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 106

16/5

Has resumed progress in a refitted tongue strap and bids for a hat-trick after recent wins at Leicester and Doncaster. Up another 3 lb but he's firmly in the picture once more.

Form: 135411

Forecasts

High Moon (11/8), Big Changes (16/5), Chameron (9/2), Diamond State (9/2), Joke Dancer (12/1)

HIGH MOON has yet to score in this sphere but can race off a 3 lb lower mark than when a solid Kelso third last time so is taken to end the winning run of Big Changes, who rates the obvious threat. Musselburgh runner-up Diamond State and Irish-challenger Chameron can fight it out for minor honours.