14:00 Southwell

Thursday 3 October 2024

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:4017:10

Owners Group 10 Year Anniversary Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 3m 53.91s

Theonlywayiswessex⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 100

8/1

Dual AW winner who opened his account over jumps in 9-runner handicap chase at Stratford (17f) in June. Better than bare result when fourth at Worcester next time and whilst he was below best back on the Flat latest, he remains with potential in this sphere.

Form: 725-314

Nevendon^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 98| D

16/1

A fair 2m hurdle winner and back to something like that form on third attempt in this sphere when second of 5 in handicap chase at Plumpton (17f, good) 11 days ago, threatening briefly but held run-in. Wouldn't be a sure thing to be in same form here, though.

Form: 6P-24P2

Natural Ability^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A Keatley| OR: 95

6/1

Maiden hurdler/chaser in Ireland who showed first solid form after 5 months off/for new yard when fourth of 10 in handicap chase at Sedgefield (16.4f) 10 days ago. Possible he will come on for that effort and he's not dismissed lightly.

Form: U708-04

Gerard Mentor^p,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 92| D

12/1

4-time hurdles winner in 2022. Patchy record subsequently but encouraging he could build on his chase debut effort when landing 13-runner handicap chase at Worcester (16.5f) 3 weeks ago, quickening to lead entering final 1f. Claims up 6 lb provided he continues to hold it together.

Form: 466061

Abaya Du Mathan^p,t⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 92| CD

10/1

Veteran who did well upon joining present yard, winning twice (including over C&D) earlier this year. Operating below best in recent outings but a return to this venue could well perk him up and he's only 1 lb above last winning mark.

Form: 342575

Pittsburg^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: R Potter| OR: 90| D

28/1

Took advantage of his fall in the weights when recording a third win over fences at Uttoxeter (16f, soft) in July. Never involved in 2 runs on the Flat in August but was keeping on when unseating 2 out at Worcester (16.5f) 6 weeks ago. Each-way claims.

Form: 50551F

Guillaume^p,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 89| D

16/1

Won over fences at Catterick in December and has returned in good nick, cheekpieces added when second of 9 in handicap chase at Bangor (17.4f, good) 27 days ago. Not out of things.

Form: 64-3442

Clean Getaway^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 87

11/1

Dual scorer at Market Rasen this summer and turned in another solid display when second of 10 in handicap chase at Sedgefield (16.4f, good, 6/1) 10 days ago. Merits consideration from unchanged mark.

Form: 131942

Pep Talking¹²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: K Brogan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 84| BF| D

11/4

Lightly raced 6-y-o who improved on hurdles form when making winning chase debut at Huntingdon (16.5f) in March. Runner-up on 2 of his 3 starts thereafter and he could yet have more to offer in this sphere having joined new yard.

Form: 08126-2

Tropical Talent^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 84| BF

13/2

Shed maiden tag at Sedgefield (17f) in May and comes here on the back of pair of respectable efforts, third of 10 in handicap chase (9/2) at Sedgefield (16.4f, good) 10 days ago. Should be in the thick of things again on that evidence.

Form: 1U6623

Royal Max²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R Patrick| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 76| BF

11/2

Remains a maiden but he posted another creditable effort when 7¼ lengths third of 13 to re-opposing Gerard Mentor in handicap chase at Worcester (16.5f, good) 22 days ago, finishing with running left. May have to settle for minor honours again.

Form: 337333

Forecasts

Pep Talking (11/4), Royal Max (11/2), Natural Ability (6/1), Tropical Talent (13/2), Theonlywayiswessex (8/1), Abaya Du Mathan (10/1), Clean Getaway (11/1), Gerard Mentor (12/1), Nevendon (16/1), Guillaume (16/1), Pittsburg (28/1)

Impressive when scoring at Stratford in June, THEONLYWAYISWESSEX had excuses when fourth on his next start at Worcester. Below his best on the level latest, he's worth another chance to prove his revised mark in this sphere to be a good one. Gerard Mentor, who tasted success on his latest outing, is feared with a repeat, with Tropical Talent and the returning Pep Talking just another couple to consider in a competitive race for the grade.