John Budden Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 9.30s

Mint Gold^t¹⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| C| D

12/1

Latest win in chase at Musselburgh in November. 5/1, creditable second of 5 in handicap chase at Perth (16f, soft) 176 days ago. Should be involved again.

Form: 54/1F22-

Keep Running²¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 118| DWS

7/2

Better than ever sent chasing last season, making all in novice handicap at Taunton in January. Ended the season in form and remains with potential back down in trip after 7 months off.

Form: F21P32-

Damarta^h,t¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 114| D

5/2

Comfortable winner over hurdles at Southwell in January and backed it up with two solid performances. Has the physique for chasing and stable has made a good start to the season, so worthy of interest after 5 months off.

Form: 733132-

Five Dollar Fine¹⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 112| BF| D

5/1

Finally managed to get off the mark under a more patient ride when winning at Hexham in May and shaped as if still in form when third there next time. Off 4 months since but isn't without hope.

Form: 42P1-13

Hold Onto The Line²⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 107| DWS

10/1

Fortunate to land his fourth success (15.8f, soft) at Musselburgh 9 months ago, looking held when left in front 2 out. Hard to know if he'll be fully ready to go on return after a wind op.

Form: 114P/71-

Fia Fuinidh^t¹⁹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 100| D

3/1

Hurdles winner who made a bright start over fences during the winter but disappointed towards the end of the campaign. Worth a market check on return.

Form: 422456-

Sword Of Fate⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: L Kerr| OR: 99| D

33/1

Scored over fences at Cartmel in July but well held since and has something to prove now.

Form: 6310P5

Forecasts

Damarta (5/2), Fia Fuinidh (3/1), Keep Running (7/2), Five Dollar Fine (5/1), Hold Onto The Line (10/1), Mint Gold (12/1), Sword Of Fate (33/1)

KEEP RUNNING probably hasn't reached his limit as a chaser and he should be prepared for this return, so he gets the marginal vote ahead of Mint Gold, who was in good order when last seen. Five Dollar Fine is also of interest.