AK Bets Home Of Free Bets Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 18.17s

Chasing Fire⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 134| D

15/8

Multiple hurdles winner who stepped up on those efforts when making an impressive winning return/chasing debut in a novice at Uttoxeter in October. Jumping errors have surfaced since but he was right back on track when second at Kelso in March. Has stamina to prove for this far.

Form: 3-14U42

Marown^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 127| D

8/1

Hasn't won since his novice days but hard to be too critical of him this season, third at worse (in admittedly small-field contests) in 5 outings. Likely to give it another good go.

Form: 3-22332

Cooper's Cross^p⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 125| D

40/1

Had an excellent campaign last season, winning Sky Bet and Doncaster and excellent second in the Scottish National at Ayr final start. However, no show in 5 starts this term so has plenty to prove.

Form: 2-8PPPP

African Dance^t⁴⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 121| D

10/1

Perfect start over fences when landing a 9-runner Ayr handicap (20.5f, good to soft) on final start in 2021. Well prepared to follow up 15 months later in February 2023 so subsequent similar absence may not be an issue. Same mark.

Form: 13141/1-

Readysteadybeau^v⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| CD

9/4

Won this race a year ago from 7 lb lower and right back to best when making all at Ayr in December. Unable to land a blow from off the pace at Musselburgh and that effort easy enough to excuse.

Form: F1-6U15

Geryville^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 119

7/2

Winless last season but finally cashed in on a falling mark in re-fitted blinkers at Carlisle 4 weeks ago. That wasn't much of a race and he's been hit with a 7 lb rise but he is at least in form.

Form: 4-4P531

Non-Runners

Francky Du Berlais¹⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 11

T: P & M Bowen J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Chasing Fire (15/8), Readysteadybeau (9/4), Geryville (7/2), Marown (8/1), African Dance (10/1), Francky Du Berlais (20/1), Cooper's Cross (40/1)

AFRICAN DANCE has clearly had his share of problems but he's looked pretty talented when making the track and given he's won after 15 months off in the past, this latest absence isn't a major worry. Readysteadybeau won this race last year and is a threat, as is Chasing Fire, a stablemate of the selection, if his stamina holds.