Download The Star Sports App Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 4m 53.72s

Hidalgo Des Bordes^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 101| BF

10/3

Promising individual who found significant improvement when making a winning chase debut in 11-runner handicap at Exeter (17.5f, good) last month. Clearly wasn't 100% (reportedly made a noise) when turned out under a penalty soon after and worth another chance.

Form: 2/07317-

Blaze A Trail^h³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: C Brace| T: J L Flint| OR: 100| C| D

8/1

Rattled off a 5-timer over fences in 2022 and he ran well on the back of 7 months off when second of 5 in handicap chase at Wincanton (15.7f) 35 days ago. Mark is steadily easing and he could be sharper with that run under his belt.

Form: 3622P2-

Call Off The Dogs^b¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 96| C

4/1

Missed whole of last year and has gradually recaptured his best this spring, resuming winning ways off a career-low mark at Fontwell 10 days ago. Player.

Form: 1/PP44-1

Royal Juniper^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 88

33/1

Winner over fences at Wexford for A. J. Martin last summer but disappointed on final start for that yard and little encouragement to glean from hurdle runs for present connections.

Form: 41P050-

Mister Upton¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 87| CD

5/4

No great shakes over hurdles but much improved to make a winning start in this sphere over C&D 18 days ago. Had enough in hand to suggest he can defy an 8 lb rise.

Form: P7/P94-1

Shaw's Cross^p¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 75

9/1

Veteran who gained his first chasing success at Plumpton in January 2023. Rather hit-and-miss since but latest 12¾ lengths third of 9 to Mister Upton over C&D was one of his better efforts and is 12 lb better off with the winner here.

Form: 42539-3

Non-Runners

Bala Brook⁶⁰

Weight: 10-9| Age: 6

T: J Tizzard J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mister Upton (5/4), Hidalgo Des Bordes (10/3), Call Off The Dogs (4/1), Blaze A Trail (8/1), Shaw's Cross (9/1), Bala Brook (10/1), Royal Juniper (33/1)

MISTER UPTON is clearly much more at home in this sphere than he had been over hurdles given the manner of his ready chase-debut win over C&D 18 days ago and he can defy an 8 lb rise. Call Off The Dogs has gradually recaptured his best after an absence and rates the main threat ahead of Hidalgo des Bordes, who had excuses last time.