Michael Watson MW Paving & Groundworks Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:13 | Winning time: 5m 20.18s

Stroll On By⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 108

85/40

Made the frame on 4 of his 6 starts over hurdles last term and made it second time lucky in this sphere at Exeter (17.5f, soft) in October. Backed that up when third at Kempton the following month and bold show anticipated here.

Form: 425-413

Gandhi Maker^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 106| C

6/1

Dual scorer over fences early last year, including here, and has finished in the money on all 4 completed starts since returning to action in October. Latest third off this mark at Ayr (16.5f, heavy) was a creditable effort but not sure that this step back up in trip is what he wants.

Form: 6-32P23

Out On The Tear⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: C J Todd| T: S Allwood| OR: 104

9/1

Went the wrong way over fences last term and comes here on the back of a below-par fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Doncaster (16.4f, good to soft). Looks vulnerable.

Form: 2/224-34

Trac^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 104| C| D

7/2

Enjoyed an excellent season over fences last term, scoring three times, including at this venue. Resumed winning ways at Catterick (19.2f, soft) during the Christmas period and while more is needed up 5 lb, he has to enter calculations.

Form: 113-P21

That'll Be The Day^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 104

17/2

Maiden hurdle winner on Rules debut back in March 2021 but little impact in various race-types since, including half-a-dozen starts in this sphere.

Form: 4/P5F7-5

Hello Judge^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 101| BF

7/2

Winning hurdler who built on his reappearance effort to run out a good winner at Carlisle (2½m, soft) in October, displaying a good attitude in the process. Beaten favourite both starts since but will be a threat if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: P7-3134

Forecasts

Stroll On By (85/40), Hello Judge (7/2), Trac (7/2), Gandhi Maker (6/1), That'll Be The Day (17/2), Out On The Tear (9/1)

Preference is for STROLL ON BY, who has taken well to fences and it was a stronger race than this in which he was third off a 1 lb higher mark at Kempton last time. Trac arrives here in good heart and he is feared most ahead of Hello Judge and Gandhi Maker.