Happy 85th Birthday John Jarvis Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 7m 6.54s

Eureka Creek⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

9/4

Winning hurdler/chaser who produced another solid display when third in mares' handicap chase at Cheltenham (20.6f) 7 weeks ago, giving best only late on behind a less exposed pair. Leading claims in these calmer waters if she stays.

Form: 163-833

Eleanor Bob⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117

3/1

Much improved when bagging pair of small field mares' handicap chases early in 2022 and showed she retains all of her ability back from a lengthy absence when 4¼ lengths fourth of 10 at Haydock in November. Disappointing next time but this looks easier.

Form: 611F/47

Shighness²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110

6/5

Consistent performer over hurdles last term and bettered previous efforts over fences when runner-up at Wetherby last time. Still room for improvement in jumping, so could up her game again.

Form: 143-4P2

West Lawn⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Reed| T: J Walton| OR: 75

22/1

Winning pointer and successful twice over hurdles at Hexham in 2022. Has looked very limited over fences, though, and he's a long way out of the weights.

Form: 5P4469

Forecasts

Shighness (6/5), Eureka Creek (9/4), Eleanor Bob (3/1), West Lawn (22/1)

EUREKA CREEK is nicely handicapped and took a firm step back in the right direction when third at Cheltenham 49 days ago, so she's worth siding with in this less competitive scenario, with the step back up in trip unlikely to pose a problem. Shighness is the main danger although Eleanor Bob should take a hand if she can put a poor run behind her.