William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 6m 21.34s

Val Dancer^p1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 104

2/1

Successful on second hurdles start at Bangor (19.5f) 13 months ago but didn't kick on thereafter, including in handicaps. Easy to back, not disgraced when third of 7 on chase debut at Ludlow last month and he could well build on that. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 15446-3

Royal Mer^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 98

3/1

Mixed bag over hurdles for this yard but returned to something like his best back over fences, showing a good attitude to land 7-runner Ffos Las handicap (19.4f) 21 days ago. Big shout here from 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 926-451

File Illico^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 95| C

5/1

Won 4 times (including here) in a very productive first season over fences but generally disappointing last term and no signs of a revival in a couple of outings last month. Mark in freefall as a result but would need to see market confidence behind him to be of interest.

Form: P284-76

Justshortofabubble^p,t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: G Harris| OR: 94| D

7/2

Has proved remarkably consistent in recent months and took his form up another notch when going in again at Taunton (23f) 2 starts back. Looked a big threat when falling 2 out at Ludlow since and very much respected in this groove.

Form: 32141F

Moon Eagle^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: T R Gretton| OR: 88

40/1

Patchy form for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland and she hasn't threatened in 5 starts for present yard, losing touch long way out on return to action at Warwick (20f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Others preferred.

Form: 84023-P

Bignorm^p¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 72| CD

8/1

Sole success from 28 runs came over this C&D back in 2021. Made frame on each of his last 3 starts last season but not in same form in recent months and others preferred from out of the weights.

Form: 32-3385

Forecasts

Val Dancer (2/1), Royal Mer (3/1), Justshortofabubble (7/2), File Illico (5/1), Bignorm (8/1), Moon Eagle (40/1)

ROYAL MER impressed with his attitude as he shed the maiden tag on his first start over fences on these shores at Ffos Las 3 weeks ago, pulling clear with another in-form sort, and he's fancied to make a bold bid again. Justshortofabubble looked set to play a big part in the finish when falling 2 out at Ludlow latest and he's a big threat. Val Dancer can do best of the others.