Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 5m 42.60s

Top Ville Ben¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: R T Dunne| T: P A Kirby| OR: 130| C

7/2

Veteran campaigner who returned to form granted a soft lead when second in 4-runner veterans' handicap at Aintree (19.9f) in December. Will find this more suitable than his recent Leopardstown assignment and not out of things.

Form: P0-FP28

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Zhiguli^p1⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124| BF| D

9/2

3-time winner over fences who returned with a respectable fourth in a stronger race at Ascot (23.8f) in November. Pulled up next start and second best from good way out in match race at Fontwell in December. Still, not ruled out back from 67 days off with cheekpieces enlisted.

Form: 13P-4P2

Regal Blue²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122| D

11/4

Didn't kick on as expected over hurdles but positive start over fences, making frame in handicaps at Leicester/over C&D in December. Failed to jump well enough when pulled up in Surrey National 4 weeks ago but he appeals as being on a good mark if sharpening up in that department.

Form: 16-P32P

Good Work^p,t⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 113

8/1

Long-standing maiden who added another frustrating runners-up effort to his c.v in refitted cheekpieces at Bangor (3m, heavy) in December. Lines up here off same mark but others make more appeal for win purposes.

Form: 22-49P2

Ladronne^t³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: T Collier| OR: 112| D

15/2

Ran his best race for a while when second from 1 lb higher mark at Newcastle (20f) in December. Stamina stretched at Catterick (30f) next time so expected to bounce back.

Form: 4-3442P

Planned Paradise⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 110| D

18/5

Consistent for Neil Mulholland last season, but efforts for new yard since returning to action in October have not been overly inspiring. Drop in trip needs to have positive effect.

Form: 463-P57

Forecasts

Regal Blue (11/4), Top Ville Ben (7/2), Planned Paradise (18/5), Zhiguli (9/2), Ladronne (15/2), Good Work (8/1)

ZHIGULI wasn't at his very best late last year but lines up here back from a short break, operating 2 lb below his last winning mark, so it would come as no surprise to see a better showing with cheekpieces now enlisted. Top Ville Ben will find this easier than his Leopardstown assignment, whilst Regal Blue has a bigger effort in his locker over fences provided he brushes up his jumping.