16:22 Warwick

Monday 1 May 2023

All13:3014:0214:3715:1215:4716:2216:5717:32

Watch Irish Racing On RacingTV Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 5m 8.6s

Sopran Thor²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: L Allan| OR: 122| C| D

13/2

Ended last term in good form, runner-up at Fontwell and Huntingdon (awarded the race in the stewards' room at the latter venue). Well held on belated return at Sandown and was the only one to complete in a selling handicap chase at Fakenham last time, subsequent to which he left Gary Moore.

Form: U421/71-

Another Crick^p³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Noel Williams| OR: 119| D

3/1

On a good mark (3 lb lower than for his latest success at Wincanton in January 2021) and arrives here on the back of solid placed efforts at Ffos Las and Newbury (both at around 2m). Key player with this step back up in trip unlikely to be an issue (has winning form at 20.5f).

Form: 3/53P22-

Romanor¹⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 118

18/1

Headstrong sort who bagged a trio of handicap chases at Newton Abbot in 2022, the latest off a 4 lb lower mark in September. However, was pretty much tailed off by the halfway point at Kempton when last seen in November and he's opposable back up in trip here following a break.

Form: 431137-

Fairway Freddy⁷⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 116| D

17/2

Resumed winning ways at Stratford (21f) in October and while his overall profile is somewhat hit-and-miss, he returned to form when finding just one too good off this mark at Plumpton last time. Going back up in trip here will help and again has his conditions.

Form: F12562-

Somekindofstar^t¹⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 115| CD

11/2

In first-time tongue tie, made a winning start for current yard over C&D in September. Below part both starts since (with cheekpieces added to tongue strap) but headgear now left off and, given that he goes well fresh, it wouldn't be the biggest of surprise were he to bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 4-23157

Gentle Connections²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 114| D

15/2

Won 4 maiden/novice hurdles between April and June last year but has struggled in 3 starts since returning from a break in October, and again ran poorly back from another break in a handicap at Exeter. Hopes pinned on switch to fences sparking a revival and improvement.

Form: 1116P0-

Across The Line⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 106

15/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Dan Skelton and successful in a Stratford hunter chase for this yard last May. Has found life harder in handicap company since, though, and he makes limited appeal, for all that he has tumbled down the weights.

Form: 53804P-

Small Bad Bob²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 101

7/2

Maiden pointer who tasted success 3 times over hurdles during 2021/22 campaign. Second in a small-field handicap hurdle at at Fakenham 3 weeks ago but shaped with little encouragement on sole start in this sphere at Chepstow in February.

Form: P53552-

Forecasts

Another Crick (3/1), Small Bad Bob (7/2), Somekindofstar (11/2), Sopran Thor (13/2), Across The Line (15/2), Gentle Connections (15/2), Fairway Freddy (17/2), Romanor (18/1)

If, buts and maybes aplenty to ponder in this trappy-looking contest. SOMEKINDOFSTAR cut little ice when last seen at Southwell in November but he appears to go particularly well fresh nowadays (form figures read 121 on his last 3 starts when returning from a break of 3 months or more) and may be worth siding with here, back down to his last winning mark. Fairway Freddy returned to form when runner-up at Plumpton and he is second choice ahead of Another Crick.