14:30 Wetherby

Wednesday 12 February 2025

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1316:48

racingtv.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 6m 37.84s

Sound And Fury^b1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 121| D

13/2

Lightly-raced winning pointer/hurdler, who looked rather fortunate when opening his chase account at Uttoxeter in December (looked booked for second when left in front at the last). Only fifth in an 8-runner Newbury handicap next time and improvement needed now equipped with first-time blinkers.

Form: 2/P1-315

Cap Du Nord⁵⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 120| D

100/1

Successful twice in 2024, bagging handicaps at Plumpton and Perth (latter success gained off a mark 2 lb higher than his current one) but he has struggled in 4 appearances since returning from a break in October.

Form: 107845

Moon Hunter^p⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: H D Daly| OR: 117| C| D

14/1

Winning pointer who was 2-5 over hurdles and didn't shape at all badly on chase debut at Cheltenham last season. However, he has looked rather laboured since, in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when last of 3 in handicap at Market Rasen (23.9f, good) on most recent start in November.

Form: 485F-43

Latenightrumble^t⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 116| CD

9/4

Four-time point winner who surpassed his hurdles form when making a winning handicap chase debut over this C&D in December. Ultimately done for finishing speed in a steadily-run race at Leicester (22.7f, soft) over Christmas but it was a solid effort nonetheless and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 257312

Magical Escape^v1²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 116| D

17/2

Resumed after a wind op with a promising second of 5 in handicap chase at Exeter (24.2f, good) in October. Below par both subsequent starts, though, and hopes here pinned on the new headgear (first-time visor replaces usual cheekpieces) helping him to get back on track.

Form: 41-1256

Montregard^p⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 113| BF| C| D

85/40

Dual hurdles winner who left chase debut effort well behind when cosily landing a 3-runner affair at Market Rasen (3m, good) in November. Merely plugged on when a safely-held third at Taunton next time but it's still early days for him over fences and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 613-613

Jar Du Desert⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 108

5/1

Fairly useful ex-French 17f chase winner. Produced much his best effort to date on these shores when runner-up over C&D off this mark in November but failed to repeat that at Aintree since and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 4436-25

Rostello^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 103| D

20/1

Not straightforward but put it all together under a good ride when winning 4-runner Southwell handicap last spring. Left previous efforts for this yard behind when going close at Catterick last time but it remains to be seen if he'll again rise to the occasion.

Form: 21-P752

Non-Runners

Champagnesuperover²¹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 10

T: O Murphy J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Montregard (85/40), Latenightrumble (9/4), Champagnesuperover (11/4), Jar Du Desert (5/1), Sound And Fury (13/2), Magical Escape (17/2), Moon Hunter (14/1), Rostello (20/1), Cap Du Nord (100/1)

LATENIGHTRUMBLE outpointed a progressive sort when getting off the mark over C&D on his penultimate start, and then followed home another upwardly mobile type at Leicester where the lack of a strong end-to-end gallop counted against him. The 8-y-o should have more to offer in this sphere and earns the vote ahead of Montregard and Champagnesuperover.