Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 12.03s

Tom Creen^t⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: S England| OR: 107| C

2/1

Boasts an excellent record at this track, making it course win number 5 from the front over 19.3f 6 weeks ago. This is his first crack at 2m in this sphere but no surprise to see another bold showing under a positive ride. Shortlisted.

Form: 23-4341

Master Breffni^h³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101

11/8

A fair winner at 19f over hurdles and he's resumed in good order in this sphere, albeit somehow managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory when runner-up at Catterick (15.6f) 5 weeks ago having tied up on run-in. Should be thereabouts again.

Form: 4F12-52

Sabbathical^p²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Osian Radford⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 100| D

9/1

Successful 3 times over fences at around 2m during 2022/23. Shaped as if retaining some ability back from 20 months off when third over hurdles at Fakenham (2m) in December but backward step when well beaten at Ffos Las 25 days ago. Switch back to chasing may help now, though.

Form: 3471/37

Jeu Sacre^h,t1²⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 98

17/2

Fair form over hurdles and fences in France but well beaten in 3 hurdles for current yard during second half of last season. Too soon to be writing off now returned to chasing on return to action but would need to see market support to consider. Tongue tie refitted.

Form: 34585P-

Natural Ability^t⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 97| BF| CD

6/1

Winless over hurdles/fences in Ireland but did manage to build on previous promise to shed maiden tag for new stable over C&D in November. Not in same form when fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Catterick (19.2f) last month (reportedly bled) but he could well bounce back.

Form: 8-04P15

Non-Runners

Hold Onto The Line³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: J Ewart J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Master Breffni (11/8), Tom Creen (2/1), Hold Onto The Line (9/2), Natural Ability (6/1), Jeu Sacre (17/2), Sabbathical (9/1)

The wonderfully consistent TOM CREEN made it course win number 5 under a positive ride 6 weeks ago and similar tactics dropped back in trip here should see him a tough nut to crack once more. Recent Catterick second Master Breffni rates next best ahead of Natural Ability, whilst market support for either Sabbathical or Jeu Sacre would look significant.