13:30 Wetherby

Thursday 23 January 2025

All12:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

William Hill B.O.G. Is Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 5m 24.10s

Into Overdrive²⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Thomas Easterby⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 137| CD

50/1

Five-time winner in 2022 (including the Rowland Meyrick at this course) but lightly raced since and has gone the wrong way, pulled up after a further 4 months off at Aintree when last seen in May. First run for yard after leaving Mark Walford.

Form: 21P/P6-P

Mackenberg⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 134| D

16/1

Without a win since November 2022, but after 5 months off he shaped better than for a while when third at Doncaster (19.1f, good) 55 days ago, left with a lot to do. Has eased further in the weights, so he's on a handy mark if building on latest effort.

Form: 27UP-93

Genois⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| CD

5/1

Useful chaser who opened account in this sphere on second start for current yard in 4-runner handicap at this C&D (good) in November, despite having not always been fluent. Lesser effort next time, but he's capable of getting involved back down in grade.

Form: 3-37316

No Risk Des Flos^t³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy| OR: 126| BF| CD

7/2

After 5 months off (had wind op), shaped as if as good as ever when second behind the exciting L'Eau du Sud at Stratford (19.4f, good to soft) in October. Unseated at the fifth at Southwell last time, but he's respected back at this venue (last 4 wins here).

Form: 445-92U

Eaton Collina³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124| CD

11/4

Likeable sort who showed improved form when recording back-to-back wins at this C&D last season. Has returned in decent heart, chasing a strong pace when third at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) on latest outing, and he can make his present felt back here.

Form: 3511-53

Cerendipity³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 122| C| D

9/4

Produced a better round of jumping when doubling his tally over fences at Bangor on final outing in 2023/24. Stepped up on this season's reappearance when second at Haydock (16.3f, heavy) in December and he could be in the mix back up in trip.

Form: F351-62

Arthur's Quay^t⁸²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: B Haslam| OR: 121| D

22/1

Successful in back-to-back handicaps in 2023 but struggled for form at the end of last year, faring no better dropped in grade when fifth of 7 at this C&D (good) in November. Mark continues to slide, though he has enough to prove at present.

Form: P-4P675

Geryville^b⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 117| CD

12/1

With blinkers refitted, ended a lengthy losing run at Carlisle last March and ran well when second at Perth the following month. Took a step forward from return when fourth of 7 at this course (24.2f, heavy) in December, though will need to find more again.

Form: 5312-64

Non-Runners

Shan Blue⁴¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 11

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cerendipity (9/4), Eaton Collina (11/4), No Risk Des Flos (7/2), Shan Blue (9/2), Genois (5/1), Geryville (12/1), Mackenberg (16/1), Arthur's Quay (22/1), Into Overdrive (50/1)

After a promising reappearance, SHAN BLUE wasn't in the same form at Cheltenham last time, but he's well worth another chance as he drops in grade. He could be ready to take advantage of his reduced mark, though the 2023 winner of this race No Risk des Flos isn't taken lightly as he bids for a fifth course success, with Eaton Collina also considered.