TrustATrader For Tradespeople You Can Trust Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 26.92s

Persian Time¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| CD

9/4

Won 2 of his first 4 starts over fences last season, doubling his tally when rallying for success at this C&D in March. However, well below that level on his final 2 starts of the campaign, so he needs to return at his best after 6 months off.

Form: 21P14-P

Guy^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| D

12/1

Gained a third success of 2023/24 at Hereford in January and bounced back from a poor run when adding to his tally at Kelso in May. After 5 months off, found it tougher from a career-high mark when fourth of 7 back at Kelso 2 weeks ago. More needed.

Form: 4310-14

Bourbali¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127| CD

5/1

Won a match at this C&D on second start over fences last season but his form went the wrong way during the spring, well-beaten third of 5 in handicap back here in May. Needs to get back on track after a break.

Form: 142P6-3

Beau Balko¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

5/1

Fairly useful hurdler and ran to similar level when opening his chase account at the fourth attempt at Musselburgh in February. Likely to have won again but for a mistake 2 out when third at Ayr in April, so he enters calculations on his return.

Form: 522133-

Holly¹⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| BF

10/1

Impressive winner of handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in January and left behind a lesser effort next time when third at Haydock in March. Mistake 3 out knocked her out of contention at Punchestown in May, so she's one to note as she makes her chase debut.

Form: 851420-

Frere d'Armes³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| CD

5/2

A while since his last success, but after 11 weeks off he shaped as if better for the run when third of 6 at Worcester (20f) last month. Return to this shorter trip should suit and he's a major player from his reduced mark.

Form: P34-883

Forecasts

Persian Time (9/4), Frere d'Armes (5/2), Bourbali (5/1), Beau Balko (5/1), Holly (10/1), Guy (12/1)

C&D winner FRERE D'ARMES has dropped to a handy mark and, with his recent run behind him, he could be ready to return to winning ways back at this venue. He can get the better of Beau Balko, who shaped as if he should have won at Ayr on his final start last season, while Holly is also considered on her chasing debut.