Andy Austin Happy 64th Birthday Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 16.9s

Return Ticket^p,t³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 135| D

7/1

Back to winning ways when taking Carlisle handicap (15.9f) last month and far from disgraced, off 9 lb higher, when fourth of 9 at Ayr (16.5f, good, 15/2) 37 days ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 526414-

Arthur's Quay^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 124| D

12/1

Winless over fences in Ireland but improved model for new stable, completing hat-trick in good style at Sedgefield (17f, soft) in January. Largely run with credit in defeat since but does need to bounce back from a below-par effort at Worcester latest.

Form: 11232-9

Sao^h,t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 117

9/2

Not scored for some time but was better than bare result when second at Wetherby (15.1f) last month and was yet to be asked for his effort when unseating rider at Hexham latest. Warrants respect.

Form: 36532-U

And The New^p,t⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 108| D

10/3

Returned to form, in first-time cheekpieces, when easily taking 5-runner handicap chase at Market Rasen (19.2f, good) 7 days ago. Leniently treated, under a 7 lb penalty, and holds obvious claims.

Form: 59PP7-1

Whodini^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 113| D

16/5

60,000 purchase who surpassed his exploits over hurdles when making winning handicap/chase debut at Newcastle (16.3f) in February. Resumed progress when scoring at Ayr (16.5f, good, 4/1) last month and likely has more to offer yet.

Form: 3/44171-

Lermoos Legend^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 109| CD

3/1

In good form last summer, scoring over C&D (off 2 lb lower) in June. Rather went off the boil in latter part of year but yard is in fine form and he should be straighter for his recent Ffos Las reappearance.

Form: 434P5-5

Forecasts

Lermoos Legend (3/1), Whodini (16/5), And The New (10/3), Sao (9/2), Return Ticket (7/1), Arthur's Quay (12/1)

AND THE NEW got back on the scoreboard when a wide-margin winner at Market Rasen last week and remains well treated on old form. He can follow up. Whodini is progressive and may provide the chief threat.