Happy Birthday Andy Hurtley Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 22.79s

Iceo Madrik^p,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 135

15/2

Useful chaser in France for David Cottin but he offered little on his yard debut when pulled up in Ultima at Cheltenham 25 days ago. This is easier but he still has something to prove.

Form: 66FF2P

Le Ligerien^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 131

3/1

Hasn't looked back since having breathing surgery and switching yards this term, cosily completing his hat-trick in 2m Newbury handicap last month. Up another 7 lb but veteran is still the one to beat.

Form: 2-PP111

Knight In Dubai^t⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

6/1

Useful hurdler/chaser but he's not proving the easiest to catch right this term, remote fourth in handicap chase at Warwick (20f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Winless since 2019.

Form: 35-2024

Nocte Volatus^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 129

7/2

Three-time 2m4f chase winner last term and in good nick this season, fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Sandown (20f, soft) 28 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 2U-2694

Foxboro^b¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R T Dunne| T: R Walford| OR: 124

10/3

Bounced back to his best in 8-runner handicap chase at Newbury (22.4f, soft) 15 days ago. He needs to back it up now off a 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 158561

Mister Watson²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: B Pauling| OR: 123

9/1

Inconsistent over hurdles and he followed his 2m4f maiden chase win at Warwick with poor effort at Uttoxeter three weeks ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 565-31P

Fox Pro⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 117

11/1

Failed to build on comeback third after a long absence when last of 3 in handicap chase at Exeter (24.2f, good) 43 days ago. It's now sixteen runs since his last win in 2019.

Form: P276-33

Forecasts

Le Ligerien (3/1), Foxboro (10/3), Nocte Volatus (7/2), Knight In Dubai (6/1), Iceo Madrik (15/2), Mister Watson (9/1), Fox Pro (11/1)

LE LIGERIEN has thrived under the tutelage of Joe Tizzard and a 7 lb rise for his cosy Newbury success doesn't look sufficient to prevent him from bagging a four-timer here. Nocte Volatus continues to run well and rates a solid place prospect ahead of recent Newbury scorer Foxboro.