Peninsula Finance PLC Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:44 | Winning time: 3m 52.98s

Light N Strike²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 143| D

11/4

After 6 months off, shaped well when runner-up at Kempton in April and confirmed that promise when gaining a fourth success over fences in handicap at Warwick (16.2f) 3 weeks ago, clear quickly having travelled smoothly. Leading contender.

Form: 12F52-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Clear The Runway²³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 142| BF| D

12/1

Highly progressive hurdler/chaser last year, completing a 5-timer in handicap chase at Worcester (16.5f) in September. Tremendous run of form came to halt on his first start at Cheltenham in October, but no surprise to see him get back on track on his return.

Form: 1/11116-

Geromino^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132| D

20/1

Made most of good opportunities to bag 4 small-field chase events (at up to 20.3f) last summer, prior to finding Tommy's Oscar too strong in a match at Carlisle in October. Hasn't fired yet in 2 starts after a break, but should be suited by the return to better ground.

Form: 11120-5

Magic Saint^b1,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| BF| D

7/2

Off the mark in hunters at Wincanton (20.2f) in March before finding his stamina stretched at Aintree (21.1f). Has made the frame both starts so far this season, runner-up back down in trip at Stratford (17f) 12 days ago. Can go well with blinkers on first time.

Form: 4210-42

Noahthirtytwored^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: A West| OR: 122| BF| CD

2/1

Progressive 4-time winner over hurdles who took his form up a notch over fences in the autumn, scoring at this C&D prior to a good fourth in a Cheltenham novice in October. Fit from spin on Flat when fourth at Lingfield 13 days ago and remains of interest over fences.

Form: 1714-2F

Kauto The King^p1,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 117| CD

14/1

Completed a hat-trick at the start of last summer, with a pair of victories here including this corresponding event. His form has gone the wrong way since then, but he's dropped to a dangerous mark as a result and could benefit from the application of cheekpieces.

Form: P53F-04

Elios D'Or^b¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 117| D

13/2

Successful 3 times at around 2m last season (over hurdles on final occasion) and back to winning ways in 4-runner handicap chase at Stratford (17f) 11 days ago. More needed in this contest, but he can give his running again with blinkers back on.

Form: 121-341

Forecasts

Noahthirtytwored (2/1), Light N Strike (11/4), Magic Saint (7/2), Elios D'Or (13/2), Clear The Runway (12/1), Kauto The King (14/1), Geromino (20/1)

LIGHT N STRIKE built on the promise of his previous run when scoring in good style at Warwick last month, taking his record to 4 wins from 10 completed outings over fences, and the 7-y-o can continue to go the right way as a chaser. He is taken to get the better of Magic Saint who can go well in first-time blinkers, while Noahthirtytwored also merits consideration.