William Hill Epic Boost Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 7m 15.55s

Grandads Cottage³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 130

13/2

Showed much improved form following lengthy absence over fences last term, making it 2 wins from 3 starts at Market Rasen (19f) in March. Reappearance run at Cheltenham best excused (lost ground after start) and he remains low-mileage in this sphere.

Form: 21/121-0

Coconut Splash⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122

5/1

Long been expensive to follow over fences and whilst he showed the benefit of a recent run when third at Wincanton (26.7f) 58 days ago, the fact he remains winless in this sphere is a little off-putting.

Form: P2B-P33

Valleres²⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119

7/2

Left low-key yard debut in his wake when opening chase account at Ffos Las (23.8f, heavy) in March. Underlined inconsistency with a poor effort at Cheltenham (28.1f) a month later but returns with yard going great guns and worth noting if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 3P6/310-

No But I Will²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 119

7/2

Point/hurdles winner who showed benefit of his reappearance to make a successful chase debut at Wetherby (24.2f) 4 weeks ago, impressing with his jumping and beating Snipe by 1 length. Still unexposed and player with prospect of more to come.

Form: 4321-71

Snipe²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

18/5

Ex-pointer who cruised clear to make winning chase debut at Southwell (24.2f) in October. Not in same form at Exeter 3 weeks later but quickly back on the up when second behind No But I Will at Wetherby (24.2f) 4 weeks ago. 3 lb better off with that rival now and claims.

Form: 175-152

Duke Of Deception^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 109

11/2

Fair form when twice successful over fences at around 3m last season and resumed winning ways back from 5 months off over hurdles at Wetherby (3m) in October. Creditable third in that sphere here last month but this rates a tougher ask back over larger obstacles.

Form: 171-314

Non-Runners

Some Scope³²

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: R Hobson J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

No But I Will (7/2), Valleres (7/2), Snipe (18/5), Some Scope (9/2), Coconut Splash (5/1), Duke Of Deception (11/2), Grandads Cottage (13/2)

SOME SCOPE showed the benefit of his chase debut experience and was value for extra when opening his account in this sphere at Catterick 32 days ago, 3 lengths clear when eased close home. A 5 lb rise for that success looks fair and he rates a big player with the prospect of more to come. No But I Will and Snipe finished 1-2 respectively at Wetherby recently and that pair head up the dangers.