15:00 Ludlow

Wednesday 20 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

G.C.Rickards Ltd Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 26.71s

Cartonne^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109| D

6/1

Made a positive start to his chasing career when making all in back-to-back handicaps at Musselburgh (20.3f) earlier this year. Pulled up at Carlisle on his return, but left that effort behind when getting back to winning ways at Doncaster last month. Major player.

Form: 1123-P1

Inishbiggle^p,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 109| D

12/1

Fairly useful winner over hurdles who, in first-time cheekpieces, returned to form over fences when runner-up at Uttoxeter (20f) in September. Ran to a similar level at this C&D next time but poor effort here on his latest outing, so bounce back now called for.

Form: F3P235

Jobesgreen Lad^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 107| CD

7/1

Made it back-to-back wins when recording a clear-cut success in this race last year. Has been let down by his jumping on his last 2 starts, the latest after 8 months off at Doncaster in November, but he's now only 2 lb higher than for last year's victory. Enters calculations.

Form: 61124-6

Aviewtosea^p,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 107

22/1

Won 3 of his 4 starts last season, but patchy form over both hurdles and fences during the current campaign. running a moody race when pulled up in handicap chase at Market Rasen last time. However, he's capable if on a going day with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 45530P

American Gerry^t1⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: H Morrison| OR: 107

8/1

Successful twice over hurdles in 2021/22 but hasn't managed to find any progress since. Looked rusty after 6 months at Newton Abbot in November and his mark has eased further as a result, so he's not written off as he makes his chase debut with tongue strap added.

Form: 464-U45

Master Malcolm^b,t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 107| D

9/1

Produced a career best when scoring emphatically at Huntingdon (19.9f) in March and followed up with a bit in hand back at the same C&D 19 days later. However, after 7 months off he shaped as if amiss when pulled up at Warwick 6 weeks ago.

Form: 34211-P

Mister Marbles⁴²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 105

11/2

Improved for a wind op in 2021/22, making all in a Taunton maiden hurdle in March. Shaped as if better for the run when third of 6 at Chepstow on his chase debut last October and he's been absent since, but he could yet do better on his first run since leaving Philip Hobbs.

Form: 25213/3-

Pawpaw¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Max Kendrick| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 104

50/1

Off the mark over fences at Hereford (20.9f) in March and doubled his tally at Fontwell (21.6f) in May. However, has finished well held on his last 2 starts, leaving David Bridgwater prior to his latest outing, so others more persuasive on his return from a break.

Form: 213-144

Minella Choice^t²⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 103

5/1

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who ran his best race yet when third on handicap hurdle debut at Market Rasen (20.6f) back in April. Appeals as the type to make a chaser so he's one to consider on his return from 8 months off.

Form: 62/7833-

Ben Buie^v³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: M Keighley| OR: 101

28/1

Three-time winner in 2022/23 and returned to form when scoring at Warwick in September. At least as good as ever when following up at Hereford (20.9f, good to firm) a month later, but tailed off on softer ground last time so any rain wouldn't be in his favour.

Form: P-P4114

Barrakhov^t⁴²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 92| D

10/1

Modest winner over hurdles who has the physique for chasing and, after 6 months off, shaped as if needing the run on his chase debut in October last year. Has been off again since, but he should have more to offer over fences. First run for yard after leaving Fergal O'Brien.

Form: 5136/25-

Est Illic^p³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 84

25/1

Thirteen runs since his last win back in 2020. Ran one of his better races when second of 5 at Ffos Las (19.4f) in June, but after a 5-month absence he was pulled up at the same course (23.8f) last time. Cheekpieces back on but others still preferred.

Form: 4P3-62P

Martalmix'jac^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 77

11/2

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark at Stratford (19.5f) in October and, after not getting home upped in trip next time, he soon returned to form (following a wind op) when runner-up at this C&D 2 weeks ago. This is tougher from out of the handicap.

Form: 385152

Beannaigh Do²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 72

50/1

Offered little over hurdles but showed more when runner-up on his chase debut at Ffos Las (19.4f) in April. Hasn't been able to go on from that effort since, though. Looks to be up against it from out of the weights.

Form: 62-P605

Non-Runners

Striking Out³⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: Henry Oliver J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Minella Choice (5/1), Martalmix'jac (11/2), Mister Marbles (11/2), Cartonne (6/1), Jobesgreen Lad (7/1), American Gerry (8/1), Master Malcolm (9/1), Striking Out (10/1), Barrakhov (10/1), Inishbiggle (12/1), Aviewtosea (22/1), Est Illic (25/1), Ben Buie (28/1), Beannaigh Do (50/1), Pawpaw (50/1)

CARTONNE took his record to 3 wins from 6 starts over fences when making all at Doncaster last time and he can make a bold bid to add to his tally. Heading the list of dangers is Jobesgreen Lad, who won this race last year off only a 2 lb higher mark, while Mister Marbles is open to improvement as he makes his second chase start on his stable debut.