Leicester Racecourse Ideal Conference Venue Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 5m 28.8s

Grandads Cottage^t1³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 129

7/2

Irish point/hurdles winner who made an excellent start over fences last season, scoring twice around 19.5f. Better effort this term when third over 3m at Aintree on Boxing Day. Has a first-time tongue tie added here. Respected.

Form: 1/121-03

Jet Plane^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 126

25/1

Started the season with back-to-back wins over 3¼m at Ludlow and Newton Abbot but has lost his way since. Remains to be seen whether a return to this shorter trip helps to spark a revival.

Form: 4-114P7

Nocte Volatus^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 125| BF| D

2/1

Losing run goes back nearly 2 years but he has run with credit to be placed on all 3 outings this season, his Newcastle third coming on the back of wind surgery. Being eased another 2 lb can only help.

Form: 942-233

Sheldon³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 120| D

4/1

Third chase win of his career when seeing off 6 rivals at Wincanton on Boxing Day, proving suited by a switch to front-running tactics. Jumped better than usual there but he still comes with risks in that department.

Form: 53-F6P1

Oxygen²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117| D

10/3

Hurdle winner in France in 2021. Made a low-key start for this yard over hurdles last winter but different proposition over fences this time round, winning handicaps at Lingfield and Plumpton. Disappointed on hat-trick bid back at Plumpton but he might be worth another chance.

Form: 665-114

Will Sting⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 107WS

8/1

Fairly useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences at the second attempt at Doncaster a year ago. Respectable reappearance fifth at Lingfield in November but well-held fourth at Sandown the following month. Subsequently had wind surgery.

Form: 2P1P-54

Non-Runners

Another Crick⁸¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 11

T: Noel Williams J: James Davies

Forecasts

Nocte Volatus (2/1), Oxygen (10/3), Grandads Cottage (7/2), Sheldon (4/1), Will Sting (8/1), Another Crick (12/1), Jet Plane (25/1)

Another chance is given to OXYGEN to show he's still on a good mark. Nocte Volatus has been performing with credit and a further 2 lb drop in his mark should see him get very competitive here. Top-weight Grandads Cottage should also have a say.