Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 49.90s

Nells Son^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 149| D

6/1

Better than ever at present and followed up his win in Carlisle graduation event with 2m1f handicap success at Kelso last month. Up another 5 lb but that form has been franked so he's a big player.

Form: 4217-11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Calico^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| CD

4/1

C&D winner but he turned in a poor effort when a remote third of 4 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, good to soft) 69 days ago. The sort to bounce back with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 204-P13

General Medrano³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 141| BF| D

9/2

Resumed winning ways at Newbury (2m) in November but he beat only one in 5-runner handicap chase there 38 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 437-214

Third Time Lucki^t⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 138| CD

14/1

A smart chaser at his best for Dan Skelton in 2022/23. Joined present connections for £190,000 and runner-up in 4-runner handicap at Cheltenham (15.9f) in November only to disappoint when last of 6 there following month. Has it to prove now.

Form: 3149/26

Herbiers^p,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 128| C| D

18/1

Useful handicap hurdler/chaser but lightly raced in recent seasons. Yet to fire in two runs this term after 19 months off so others appeal more on this occasion.

Form: 214/2-P5

Stormin Crossgales²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: R Patrick| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 126| CD

3/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after scoring over C&D and in 4-runner handicap chase at Southwell (20.4f) 24 days ago. Up another 5 lb but he can go well again.

Form: 544411

Petit Tonnerre^p⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

7/2

It's now 17 runs since his last win in 2022 and he came in only sixth of 9 to General Medrano in handicap chase at Newbury (16.4f, good to soft) 56 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on with more required.

Form: 7-79266

Forecasts

Stormin Crossgales (3/1), Petit Tonnerre (7/2), Calico (4/1), General Medrano (9/2), Nells Son (6/1), Third Time Lucki (14/1), Herbiers (18/1)

Nicky Richards' NELLS SON comes here at the top of his game and is fancied to make it 3-3 this term at the chief expense of fellow hat-trick seeker Stormin Crossgales. C&D winner Calico could also have a say if bouncing back from a poor Cheltenham third last out.