William Hill Epic Value Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 5m 34.78s

The Edgar Wallace^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| D

11/8

Fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser who looked as good as ever when taking advantage of reduced mark at Wetherby on return last month. Has to prove he can hold his form better this time around but perhaps a second breathing operation has done the trick on that score.

Form: U/2P48-1

Ubetya^v²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 124| D

17/2

Off the mark for this yard in 21f Cartmel handicap chase in May and respectable effort back from a break when third at Wetherby (19.4f) 25 days ago, not helped by some indifferent jumping. May sharpen up for that run now.

Form: 458-153

Regal Blue¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

13/2

Easy winner on second start in points and impressed when making winning Rules/hurdles debut at Ffos Las (20f, soft) in January. Not in anything like the same form both starts since though, pulled up back from 7 months off at Newbury 12 days ago. Needs to leave that well behind now chasing.

Form: 4/116-P

Mylesfromwicklow¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

15/8

Point winner who showed plenty over hurdles and well served by drop back in trip as he made a winning chase debut at Huntingdon (19.8f) 18 days ago, jumping fluently and keeping on well. Claims from 6 lb higher mark with prospect of more to come.

Form: 222-261

Firak^t²³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

10/1

Winning hurdler for this yard and 2 from 3 in hunters for N.A.Pearce last season. Not taken lightly having re-joined Dan Skelton.

Form: 271121-

Forecasts

The Edgar Wallace (11/8), Mylesfromwicklow (15/8), Regal Blue (13/2), Ubetya (17/2), Firak (10/1)

THE EDGAR WALLACE was clearly well served by a second wind op/refitted tongue tie as he made a winning reappearance at Wetherby 6 weeks ago and in the hope he can hold it together this term, all looks set fair for another bold showing. Mylesfromwicklow had some strong hurdles form to his name and impressed when making a winning chase debut at Huntingdon 18 days ago, so he rates the chief threat.