South West Rail Solutions Ltd Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 5.12s

Gentleman Jacques²²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 98

7/1

Made the frame in bumpers and several hurdles for Charlie Longsdon but has become disappointing and made an underwhelming start over fences on second start for this yard at Southwell last month.

Form: 4467-P4

Blackhillsofdakota^b,t1⁴⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: K Brogan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 95

50/1

Heavy defeats both starts over fences for this yard in 2021 and, after a 20-month absence, he offered little back over hurdles last summer. Returning from another absence here so easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 23P/P53-

Lock Out^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 94| BF

5/2

Firmly back on track when making a winning return in handicap chase at Chepstow (23.6f) under this rider. Unable to land the odds off 5 lb lower at Hereford 3 days later, a shorter trip on quicker ground seeming to count against him. Worth another chance despite revised mark.

Form: 0745-14

Jony Max^t⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 86

3/1

Took advantage of reduced mark at Warwick 9 days ago and no surprise were he to defy a penalty having dropped so far in the weights.

Form: 098721

Stiletto^b³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 87

4/1

Modest maiden hurdler who exited just as things were beginning to unfold on chase bow at Exeter 5 weeks ago.

Form: 43-467U

School For Scandal²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 76| C

7/2

Not the most reliable (sulks if unable to dominate) but he's gelled well with this rider on his last 2 starts, scoring at Wincanton (25.1f, good) 28 days ago by 1½ lengths from subsequent winner Jony Max. 5 lb better off with that rival here so needs considering.

Form: 58P721

Forecasts

Lock Out (5/2), Jony Max (3/1), School For Scandal (7/2), Stiletto (4/1), Gentleman Jacques (7/1), Blackhillsofdakota (50/1)

SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL isn't the most reliable but he held off subsequent winner Jony Max by 1½ lengths at Wincanton 4 weeks ago and is 5 lb better off with that rival here. Lock Out is worth another chance to build on his winning return having had excuses at Hereford.