Rhino.Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 4m 50.71s

Ridgeway^p,t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 112

7/2

Promising start in this sphere when impressively landing a Kempton handicap in October. Disappointing next 2 starts but effort at Ayr (16.5f, good) when returning from a break last month was more like it and he's a big player.

Form: 4/51P43-

Pens Man^p,t²¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 109

7/2

Notched third success over fences Southwell last summer. Brought down at the first back from a break in September but no such issues when runner-up at Exeter (19.2f, good) the following month (may have won but for a late mistake) and leading claims here with conditions in his favour.

Form: 4P/21B2-

And The New^p1,t⁴⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 108

7/2

Dual hurdles winner who was placed in back-to-back handicap chases off much higher marks than this at Perth last July. However, form has dipped badly since hopes seemingly pinned on the first-time cheekpieces sparking a revival.

Form: 259PP7-

Herecomeshogan²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: M Keighley| OR: 106| D

15/8

Off the mark in a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle in August and resumed his progress when winning handicap at Exeter (18.5f) in October. Below par both starts since returning from a break last month and will need to raise his game in order to make a winning chase debut.

Form: F14167-

High Noon³⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 88| BF| CD

10/1

Latest success was back in June 2021 and absent since finishing third in a 5-runner C&D contest 11 months ago. On the upside, the handicapper has given him a chance (eased 5 lb since latest start) and possibilities if he's fully tuned-up for this.

Form: 444/433-

Forecasts

Herecomeshogan (15/8), And The New (7/2), Ridgeway (7/2), Pens Man (7/2), High Noon (10/1)

RIDGEWAY appeared to take a step back in the right direction when third at Ayr last month and, with both conditions and this stiffer test in his favour, he earns the vote. Pens Man and High Noon, returning from breaks of 7 and 11 months respectively, are feared most in that order of preference.