Laurie Cole Big Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 5m 18.79s

Feel The Pinch^t⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 113

5/2

Fair hurdler who made a successful switch to chasing at Bangor in November. In good form back hurdling since, adding to his tally there in good style on debut for this yard last week. Obvious claims back over fences.

Form: 1-416F1

Chanceux³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 112

15/8

Dual novice hurdle winner who improved at first attempt over fences when runner-up at Uttoxeter (20f, heavy) in December but hasn't kicked on both starts since, just respectable third of 4 in handicap chase at Newcastle (16.3f, good to soft, 7/2) 35 days ago.

Form: 3P-62F3

The Grey Falco¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 109

10/3

Won over hurdles at Haydock last winter. Largely struggled after but shaped better than being pulled up at Fontwell on second chase start/yard debut would imply and duly took a step back in the right direction when third at Southwell 12 days ago. Could be ready to strike now.

Form: 730-PP3

Fakir^b1,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M F Harris| OR: 106

9/2

Back on track when landing a 3-runner handicap chase at Fontwell (21.5f) on debut for this yard in September. Has found life tougher since but dangerous to discount off tumbling mark/first-time headgear.

Form: 53P534

Joly Maker²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Max Kendrick| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 105| CD

25/1

Reliable sort who returned from 3 months off when scoring over C&D last summer but others look better handicapped. Off 7 months.

Form: 3124-14

Non-Runners

Fanzio¹⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: L Hurley J: James Best

Do It For Thy Sen⁵⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: Kerry Lee J: Liam Harrison

Forecasts

Chanceux (15/8), Feel The Pinch (5/2), The Grey Falco (10/3), Fakir (9/2), Fanzio (13/2), Do It For Thy Sen (12/1), Joly Maker (25/1)

THE GREY FALCO again caught the eye on his second start for this yard when third at Southwell 12 days ago, finishing with running left, and looks ready to take advantage of a career-low mark. Feel The Pinch won his only chase start at Bangor in November and has since made an impressive winning debut for this yard over hurdles there last week, so is the obvious threat.