Bennett Whitehouse Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 2.50s

Frere d'Armes⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

4/1

Has become disappointing and was below form again despite a recent breathing operation at Uttoxeter in June. Others preferred.

Form: 6P34-88

Issuing Authority⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 122

5/2

Lightly-raced sort. Latest win in chase at Haydock in December. Better for return when sixth of 13 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (16f, good to soft, 10/1) 78 days ago, not seen to best effect and finishing with running left. Back up in trip. Player.

Form: 2/413-56

Watergrange Jack¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122| CD

6/1

Racked up a handicap hurdle hat-trick at the end of last summer. Some decent efforts over fences this summer, including when going close off this mark at Stratford, and not disgraced over the smaller obstacles at Bangor 10 days ago. In the mix.

Form: P-24U46

Bagheera Ginge^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119| D

11/4

Opened chase account at Warwick in October. Mixed record since but went close at Newton Abbot 16 days ago. Player with a repeat.

Form: 12-2PP2

Chance A Tune¹⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 115

13/2

Found the step back up in distance in his favour when off the mark over fences at the second attempt at Hereford (19f) in February, well on top finish. Let down by jumping at Plumpton following month and off since.

Form: 46641U-

Grey Skies^t1⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114| DWS

12/1

Dual winner in novice company last spring but has hit a rare bout of inconsistency since the turn of the year, below-par sixth of 8 in handicap chase at Bangor (20.3f, good) 80 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 2524-26

Forecasts

Issuing Authority (5/2), Bagheera Ginge (11/4), Frere d'Armes (4/1), Watergrange Jack (6/1), Chance A Tune (13/2), Grey Skies (12/1)

ISSUING AUTHORITY isn't the easiest to assess over fences but he caught the eye on his second start back at Uttoxeter in June so he could be the answer. This does look competitive, though, with Watergrange Jack heading the dangers off a tempting mark.