D I G Services Hereford Ltd Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 2.39s

Mr Grey Sky^p²⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 120| CD

2/1

Won a pair of 2m handicap chases at a similar time last year. Respectable third at Newcastle when last seen in February and bold show could be on the way, provided he is ready to roll following 9 months off.

Form: 8/11P43-

Holly¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 118

11/4

A fairly useful winner at 17f over hurdles but hasn't covered herself in glory in 2 starts over fences to date. Sizeable step forward required here.

Form: 1420-46

Feel The Pinch^t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 118| CD

17/2

Prolific for this stable, producing an effort right up there with his best when adding to his tally at Newton Abbot (16.7f, good) in July. Form has dipped badly since, though, it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 221055

Keep Running^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 116| D

2/1

Better than ever sent chasing last season, making all in novice handicap at Taunton in January. Has found life tougher since but reappearance effort for new yard at Carlisle was too bad to be true and he'll be a threat if able to get back on track.

Form: 21P32-P

Fast Buck^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 115| D

16/1

Now 7 lb lower than when registering latest success in a handicap chase at Wincanton in January. That said, it's been downhill pretty much all the way since and he needs to bounce back in a major way.

Form: 8436-85

Non-Runners

Dr T J Eckleburg²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Dr T J Eckleburg (5/4), Keep Running (2/1), Mr Grey Sky (2/1), Holly (11/4), Feel The Pinch (17/2), Fast Buck (16/1)

MR GREY SKY returned with a bang last season, winning the first two starts of his 2023/24 campaign, and he is taken to repeat the dose this time round by making a successful reappearance. Next on the list is Dr T J Eckleburg, whose record over hurdles/fences here reads 112 and he added to his tally at Haydock on Saturday. However, if his connections elect against this quick turnaround, Keep Running will likely emerge as the main danger.