15:20 Wetherby

Thursday 28 March 2024

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Bulloughs Cleaning Services Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 4m 15.66s

Harel Du Marais^h⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 108

11/4

Still looking for his first win but it's been promising for new yard this winter, not disgraced by any means (also jumped well) when fourth on chase debut at Leicester (15.9f) in January. Booked for third when coming down late at Sedgefield since but can feature with a hood reapplied.

Form: 32244F

Royal Mer^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 107

9/4

Is proving consistent over fences this season, scoring at Ffos Las in November and Leicester in January/earlier this month. 6 lb rise for his latest success to cope with but fancied to be in the shake-up once again.

Form: 121521

Sword Of Fate⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr| OR: 103| CD

12/1

Front runner who capitalised on a drop in grade when scoring over fences at Perth in August and backed that up with good second at Cartmel. However, not been in same form since (including over hurdles on penultimate start) and remains 3 lb higher than when winning this last year.

Form: 212603

Maskia⁶³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 100

16/1

Modest form over hurdles but seemed to excel himself when just failing in 3-runner novice handicap chase at Uttoxeter in June 2022. Rather predictably failed to back that up 3 weeks later and hasn't been seen since.

Form: 962/423-

Contre Ordre^p,t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 89

17/2

Capitalised on a career-low mark to land 17f Sedgefield handicap chase in November. Not in the same form since and is best watched following his lamentable display at Newcastle (16.3f, heavy) 6 weeks ago.

Form: 9-4136P

Getaway Jewel¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 89

33/1

Now 3 lb lower than when a ready winner of 2m Southwell handicap last summer but that, like the majority of his best form, was on ground faster than is forecast here. Shown nothing on both recent starts so it's easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 642P77

Beat The Edge^b,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| CD

11/4

Should have won at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, turning it in once hitting the front, but left a lesser effort behind when third at Catterick (15.7f, soft) last month. Not so good 5 days later at Doncaster but now 4 lb lower and scored over C&D this time last year.

Form: 322534

Non-Runners

Brulure Noire³⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: R Bandey J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Royal Mer (9/4), Beat The Edge (11/4), Harel Du Marais (11/4), Brulure Noire (7/1), Contre Ordre (17/2), Sword Of Fate (12/1), Maskia (16/1), Getaway Jewel (33/1)

HAREL DU MARAIS produced a promising first effort over the larger obstacles when fourth at Leicester in January so, provided he's none the worse for his last fence fall at Sedgefield last time, Mark Walford's 7-y-o can come out on top at the expense of fellow grey Royal Mer, who has enjoyed a productive campaign and has a career-high mark to overcome as a result. Previous C&D winner Beat The Edge comes with risks attached but he can fill out third.