16:35 Stratford

Sunday 21 May 2023

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 5m 34.20s

Sheldon²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 118| C

6/5

Bagged his second chase win at Exeter on New Year's Day and in good nick since, sticking to his task despite a few mistakes when third at Kempton 27 days ago. Very much one to consider eased 1 lb.

Form: F14353-

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Herewegohoney^t¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116

5/1

Made a winning chase debut at Catterick in November but pulled up in handicap chase at Wetherby (24.2f, soft) 145 days ago. Enters calculations if back on song after a break.

Form: 411/51P-

Joly Maker²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108| C

9/2

Reliable sort who scored at Stratford (19.4f) before fair Southwell fifth later in April. Strong traveller who can't be discounted off a 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 24/1415-

Hunting Percival^t1⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: S Hosie| OR: 107

22/1

Cheekpieces on for 1st time when well-held fifth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f) 12 months ago on his final run for Tom Lacey. Runner-up in a point in March so he's not ruled out on yard/handicap chase debut.

Form: 04/5362-

Ratfacemcdougall^t³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 105

5/1

Racked up 5 wins over hurdles in 2020/21 season but has largely struggled to make an impact since. Mark continues to fall but others are preferred.

Form: P45U47-

Steel Wave^p,t¹⁶³

Age: 13| Weight: 10-9| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 99| CD

11/1

C&D winner who posted a respectable third of 7 in handicap chase at Doncaster (24f, good) 163 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Unreliable type overall, however.

Form: 423343-

Non-Runners

Fraternel⁶²

Weight: 11-13| Age: 8

T: A King J: G Sheehan

Balagan⁹⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: N B King J: Bryony Le Clerc

Forecasts

Sheldon (6/5), Joly Maker (9/2), Herewegohoney (5/1), Ratfacemcdougall (5/1), Fraternel (5/1), Steel Wave (11/1), Balagan (20/1), Hunting Percival (22/1)

SHELDON is proving a reliable sort and weighted to bag a third win in this sphere racing off a 1 lb lower mark than when a good recent third in a stronger contest at Kempton. The consistent Joly Maker is next on the list ahead of Herewegohoney, who could also have a big say if freshened up after a break.