14:05 Perth

Friday 26 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

QuinnBet Highland National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 8m 23.98s

Houston Texas¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 122

22/1

Added to his fine record at Carlisle when scoring on return (26.2f) there in November. Not at best since but this at least represents a drop in grade, so not completely ruled out.

Form: 1-1P534

Conkwell Legend¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Adam Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122| BF

5/1

Useful winning handicap hurdler who hasn't quite reached that level as a chaser but arrives on the back of a creditable second at Exeter earlier in the month. Still relatively unexposed in this sphere.

Form: 3UF832

Duke Of Deception^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 120

9/2

Career best when winning 6-runner handicap chase (5/2) at Haydock (25.6f, soft) 27 days ago, pushed out. Likeable type who represents a stable in red-hot form, so merits plenty of respect.

Form: 314221

Prince Des Fichaux^v1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 119

12/1

Very good second of 12 in Eider Chase (11/1) at Newcastle on penultimate outing and backed it up with a solid showing when fourth at Kelso 11 days ago. Visor back on and, while others look better treated, he's a proven stayer.

Form: 546224

Haute Estime^t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 118

9/2

Going well when falling 3 out in class 2 handicap here on reappearance and easily most encouraging effort since when third at Bangor a couple of months ago. One to consider from an appealing mark.

Form: 3-F5563

Bretney^b⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 116

11/1

Scored at Sandown in February and backed it up with a solid showing at Warwick. Seemingly amiss at Cheltenham last time but no surprise if he's back on his game with blinkers refitted.

Form: 32312P

Tom Cody^p,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 111

8/1

Came good in December, winning at Newcastle (3m) and Wetherby (19.5f, heavy) and got back on the up when scoring easily in 11-runner handicap at Carlisle recently. Could take a hand if he gets the longer trip.

Form: 114241

Breeze Of Wind^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 107| BF

5/1

Has upped his form since switched to chasing, making it 4 wins in this sphere when seeing off 4 rivals over 4m at Hexham last month. Shaped as if still in form (made a couple of errors) behind Tom Cody at Carlisle last time and return to this sort of trip should suit. Strong claims.

Form: 111214

Return Fire^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 103| BF

13/2

Started the season well but has lost form since and has a bit to prove compared to some of his rivals.

Form: 6-1354U

Forecasts

Duke Of Deception (9/2), Haute Estime (9/2), Breeze Of Wind (5/1), Conkwell Legend (5/1), Return Fire (13/2), Tom Cody (8/1), Bretney (11/1), Prince Des Fichaux (12/1), Houston Texas (22/1)

BREEZE OF WIND is highly progressive and shaped much better than the result having made mistakes at Carlisle last time, so he's a solid choice to get back to winning ways. Duke of Deception arrives on the back of a career best when scoring at Haydock and his stable is flying, so he's an obvious danger, while Haute Estime is one to note from a lenient mark.