Three Counties Christmas Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 3.21s

Matata²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 150| BF| D

11/10

Headstrong sort but he made up into a smart novice chaser last term and returned with an excellent neck second of 8 to Calico in handicap over C&D 23 days ago. Enjoys a 1 lb pull in the weights with that rival now so merits serious consideration.

Form: 12240-2

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Third Time Lucki^t⁵⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145| BF| CD

12/1

A smart chaser at his best and also a C&D winner for Dan Skelton in 2022/23. Changed hands for £190,000 so can't be discounted despite his long absence.

Form: 463149/

Calico^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| CD

7/4

Capitalised on a good mark when resuming winning ways in C&D handicap 23 days ago by neck from Matata. 1 lb worse off with that rival but idled then and a player once more.

Form: 4204-P1

Gunsight Ridge^t²⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 139| DWS

5/1

Cheekpieces on for first time when landing 2m handicap chase at Perth in April. Resumes after breathing surgery and this reliable sort must enter calculations for a yard among the winners.

Form: 15/F231-

Forecasts

Matata (11/10), Calico (7/4), Gunsight Ridge (5/1), Third Time Lucki (12/1)

CALICO and Matata fought out a good finish over C&D last month and could hold sway once more, with Dan Skelton's 8-y-o again taken to come out on top. Olly Murphy's consistent Gunsight Ridge needs considering too though on his return after breathing surgery.