Mary Lofthouse Supporting Spinal Research Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 3m 44.3s

Escapeandevade²²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 133

11/1

Hurdles winner who took his form up a notch over fences with cheekpieces enlisted last term, bringing up the hat-trick at Kelso (17f, soft) when last seen in March. Career-high mark to defy on return but respected nevertheless with Brian Hughes again in the plate.

Form: 4/44111-

Pay The Piper^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 131| CD

5/2

Useful winning chaser who was holding his form well in the spring and lacked nothing in fitness as he ended a losing run following 4 months off in 6-runner handicap chase at Kelso (17f) 4 weeks ago. Nudged up 3 lb and he's one to consider again.

Form: 632-421

Grey Diamond^h,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 127

28/1

Useful handicap chaser at best but little impact in handful of starts for Gordon Elliott and he's not looked a winner in waiting in pair of starts for present stable, 10¼ lengths fifth of 6 to Pay The Piper in handicap chase at Kelso (17.1f, good) 28 days ago.

Form: 00-5025

Sir Tivo^t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: G Hanmer| OR: 125

14/1

Veteran who added another pair of small-field chase contests to his CV last summer. Exploits mixed in recent months but arrives having run well when second of 6 in handicap chase at Stratford (17f) 39 days ago. Possibilities with a repeat.

Form: 3-98542

Primoz^t¹⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123

4/6

Changed hands for a chunky sum after finishing runner-up on both starts in Irish points and bookended his novice season over hurdles with victories at Ayr, latterly on handicap debut (2m) in April, notably travelling strongly. Useful prospect now chasing on return.

Form: 22/1741-

Forecasts

Primoz (4/6), Pay The Piper (5/2), Escapeandevade (11/1), Sir Tivo (14/1), Grey Diamond (28/1)

Ex-pointer PRIMOZ really impressed with how he travelled when gaining a second hurdles victory at Ayr back in the spring and, appealing as every inch the type to make an even better chaser, he could be worth siding with on return before the benefit of market clues. Pay The Piper following his Kelso victory last month and Escapeandevade, who rattled off a hat-trick when last seen in the spring can also feature.