Broadsword Group 25th Anniversary Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 28.30s

Unanswered Prayers^p¹⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 130

5/2

Had point experience and put that to good use on first start over fences at Cheltenham in November. Disappointed since, however, though was found to have bled at Newbury and had excuses when pulled up at Cheltenham when last seen in April.

Form: 2/5152P-

Up The Straight¹⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 124

6/1

Bagged a 2½m Sandown handicap chase last spring and best effort since when a back-to-form third at Kempton when last seen in May. Claims if building on that (ran well in this last year on return).

Form: 1/2PP7-3

Sacre Coeur^h⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120| BF

7/2

Fairly useful hurdle/chase winner in France and successful in handicap hurdle at Haydock (24.3f) in December. After 3 months off (had wind op), shaped encouragingly on yard debut when second at Market Rasen but failed to build on that at Uttoxeter. Back over fences now and not taken lightly.

Form: 6196-23

Copperhead^p¹⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 119

7/2

Losing run is mounting up but ran better than for a while from a slipping mark when second of 7 in handicap chase at Ludlow (25.6f, good to soft, 7/2) 150 days ago. Needs considering back down in trip.

Form: 54656-2

Norley^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 116

14/1

Improved last season, scoring twice over hurdles before successful on second start over fences at Huntingdon in April. Ran well when narrowly denied in handicap chase at Bangor (20.3f) in June but not in the same form next 2 starts. Has since left Ben Pauling.

Form: 11-3248

Lermoos Legend^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 111

9/2

Latest win in chase at Worcester in July. Respectable third of 6 in handicap chase at Cartmel (21.2f, soft, 7/2) 39 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 2231P3

Forecasts

Unanswered Prayers (5/2), Sacre Coeur (7/2), Copperhead (7/2), Lermoos Legend (9/2), Up The Straight (6/1), Norley (14/1)

It could be worth chancing UP THE STRAIGHT, who took a step back in the right direction when third at Kempton in May and he ran well on his return in this last year off a higher mark. Sacre Coeur is potentially well treated back in this sphere so rates the main threat on only her third start for Dan Skelton.