Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 5m 21.40s

Johnny Jump Up²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

6/1

Fourth both starts in Irish points and made a winning start to his Rules career in a 2¼m novice hurdle at Fontwell last January. Also a good second in a novice at Plumpton in March. 22/1, yet to be asked for effort when unseating twelfth on Warwick chase/handicap debut on reappearance 22 days ago.

Form: 44/126-U

Thor De Cerisy^p,t²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

5/2

Back-to-back winner at Chepstow (both at 19.5f) at this time last year and bounced back to form when second over C&D (soft) in December. Ran with credit in a stronger race at Windsor since and big player back in calmer waters.

Form: 11P-025

Eximia^b1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115| D

22/1

Useful multiple hurdler and chase winner in France but has pulled up on all 3 outings since joining Venetia Williams.

Form: 615P-PP

Royal Mer^p,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| D

5/1

Notched 5 handicap wins during first campaign over fences in 2023/24. Has found it tougher since but latest Uttoxeter third in first-time cheekpieces (retained) was a step back in the right direction and he's dropped to a winning mark.

Form: 1P-4653

Pilsdon Pen^p³⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 115| D

7/1

Likeable sort who won a pair of Wincanton handicap chases on soft ground last winter. Has a 13-month absence to overcome but has won fresh before. It'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

Form: 4/23121-

Clonakilty^b1,t⁵³

15/8

Won this race last year and added to his tally at Southwell in April. Recorded 2 disappointing comeback runs at the end of 2024 but he's well treated if a recent wind operation and a change of headgear (first-time blinkers for cheekpieces) help to spark a revival.

Form: 1216-P4

Forecasts

Clonakilty (15/8), Thor De Cerisy (5/2), Royal Mer (5/1), Johnny Jump Up (6/1), Pilsdon Pen (7/1), Eximia (22/1)

In a contest where most have a question to answer the most solid option is THOR DE CERISY, who was second over C&D last month and followed that with a decent run in a warm race at Windsor. Royal Mer showed better signs last time and is handicapped to go well if building on that, while last year's winner Clonakilty could also have a say if reacting well to wind surgery and a change of headgear.