Starsports.Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 41.23s

Friends Don't Ask^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: C Ellam| OR: 95| CD

40/1

Dual winner in 2021/22 for Martin Smith but doesn't seem to retain much ability these days.

Form: PP4/PP-0

Doctor Foley^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 86| CD

2/1

Placed in Irish points and has proved a different proposition sent chasing, landing handicaps at Bangor (24f) and this C&D last spring. Lost his way after but back on track when third at Taunton last month and return to this trip will suit. Could be the answer.

Form: 1/15PP3-

William Ewart^p,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 84

3/1

Justified support when scoring for the first time over fences at Southwell (3m, heavy) in February. Not so good next 2 starts but returned to form when third in 15-runner handicap chase at Warwick (3m) 31 days ago. Considered.

Form: 231333-

Toad Of Toad Hall¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 82| CD

8/1

Successful twice here last year, including this race, but he ran poorly last 2 starts 7 months apart. Risky.

Form: P151P-P

He'llstopatthetop³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 81

16/5

Maiden pointer who didn't figure in 3 starts over timber and was a similar story on debut over fences at Taunton in December. However, did offer some encouragement back from a break when fifth at Exeter last month and worth a try at this longer trip.

Form: U/77PP5-

Prince Cleni¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Christian Williams| OR: 77

11/1

Little form over hurdles but did well over fences at the start of last summer, runner-up at Uttoxeter before going one better at Southwell (both at around 3m). Disappointing since, however.

Form: 1844P-P

Lough Salt^p¹⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-5| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 72

14/1

Successful twice in 3m handicap chases at Doncaster in early-2022. Form patchy since, though had no chance from miles out of the handicap last time.

Form: 26620-4

Forecasts

Doctor Foley (2/1), William Ewart (3/1), He'llstopatthetop (16/5), Toad Of Toad Hall (8/1), Prince Cleni (11/1), Lough Salt (14/1), Friends Don't Ask (40/1)

DOCTOR FOLEY looked back on song when third at Taunton last month and can resume winning ways with the return to this longer distance in his favour. William Ewart arrives on the back of a decent third in a big field at Warwick and is next best.