Major Denis Burton Royal Welsh Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 10.0s

Keep Running³³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 118| BF

5/4

French improt who tasted success over hurdles for Harry Whittington and showed no ill effects of yard/chase debut spill when runner-up behind Dr T J Eckleburg at Ludlow (2m) 33 days ago, pulling clear of remainder. 4 lb better off with that rival here and he rates a big player.

Form: 6435-F2

Dr T J Eckleburg¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 114| CD

11/4

Added further chase success to his tally when holding off Keep Running at Ludlow (2m) on penultimate start and he again ran well when second back at that venue 19 days ago. No reason why he won't go well again.

Form: 731312

Couldbeaweapon^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 109| D

5/1

Improved again when making all in handicap hurdle at Worcester last October and placed on his next 4 starts. Probably would've finished second to the odds-on winner but for unseating 3 out on C&D chase debut and he's open to improvement in this sphere.

Form: 32235-U

Extraordinary Man^p⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 96| D

4/1

Consistency hasn't been his strong suit but put it all together to capitalise on career-low mark back from 5 months off at Hereford (2m) last month and encouragingly backed that up when second at Fakenham (16.2f) 48 days ago. This rates tougher, though. Cheekpieces on.

Form: F-U4412

Non-Runners

Kalkas⁶⁰⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: Billy Aprahamian J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Keep Running (5/4), Dr T J Eckleburg (11/4), Extraordinary Man (4/1), Couldbeaweapon (5/1), Kalkas (16/1)

KEEP RUNNING arrives 4 lb better off for his ½-length defeat behind re-opposing Dr T J Eckleburg when the pair met at Ludlow 33 days ago and, with the prospect of more to come in this sphere, Warren Greatrex's charge could well be up to turning the tables here. Couldbeaweapon is also worth a second look.