Lucas Machinery Handicap Chase

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132| D

Dual chase winner at Ffos Las and Perth in the summer but went off the boil after. Always behind in Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham last month after 7 months off but entitled to come on for that.

Form: 121508-

Lord Baddesley^t1⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 129

Won over hurdles/fences at Plumpton in 2022/23. Good second of 8 over 22.5f at Newbury in December but just respectable efforts at Kempton next 2 starts. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 3/37274-

Broken Quest^t,p¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis| OR: 127| CD

Won 3 on the bounce over this sort of trip during spring 2022, including this race off 3 lb higher, but failed to fire in 2 runs last season after 13 months off, including at Kempton 18 days ago.

Form: 5266/P7-

Punitive^v²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127

Lost his way for Gordon Elliott. Took a step back in the right direction when third of 7 over 3½m at Ffos Las on yard debut but disinclined to exert himself in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr since.

Form: F/0PP3P-

Hidden Heroics^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

Resumed winning ways in staying handicap chase at Ludlow in December but has struggled since, well held at Cheltenham latest.

Form: 6F16P7-

Risk And Roll^p⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 123| D

Tricky customer but capitalised on a reduced mark at Uttoxeter (24f) in September. Mixed record over hurdles since but creditable return to fences from 1 lb out of the handicap when fourth at Ascot last time.

Form: 619354-

Betty Baloo³³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr William Easterby⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 122| BF| CD

Dual bumper/hurdles scorer who has won 3 of her last 4 starts over fences, latest in this race a year ago, forging clear. Decent effort back over the smaller obstacles following month but not seen since. Can go well fresh so she's a player.

Form: 6121/12-

Non-Runners

Cerendipity²⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Cerendipity (7/4), Hidden Heroics (5/2), Betty Baloo (10/3), Lord Baddesley (7/2), Risk And Roll (13/2), Presentandcounting (13/2), Punitive (14/1), Broken Quest (20/1)

CERENDIPITY was a good winner at Bangor 3 weeks ago and looks capable of defying a 6 lb rise with a repeat. Last year's winner Betty Baloo can go well fresh so rates a threat back from 11 months off, with Risk And Roll another to consider.