BetMGM Who Wants A Nine-Darter Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 12.35s

Western General^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 117| D

3/1

Hurdles winner who confirmed previous chase promise and more following wind op/6 months off when readily taking 7-runner 2m Newton Abbot handicap in October. However, his mark inevitably suffered as a result of that and he needs to bounce back from a poor effort at Exeter last time.

Form: 02-4135

Risk De Pluie⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Kimber| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 114

5/2

Winning Irish pointer who made a successful start under Rules in 19f novice hurdle at Fontwell last year. Stepped up on his chase debut effort when runner-up at Exeter (19.2f, heavy) on New Year's Day and that form looks solid (the winner has gone in again since, while third also scored next time).

Form: 1354-32

Quick Sharpener^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 114| D

9/2

Point winner and dual scorer over hurdles in 2022/23. Well held on comeback run/chase debut at Uttoxeter but, on the back of another wind op, he subsequently left that well behind when chasing home a progressive type at Newcastle (2½m, good to soft). Strong claims back down in trip here.

Form: 5171/P2

Famoso⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Sheppard| OR: 110| CD

12/1

Won 3 on the bounce in November/December, the second-leg of which was a handicap over this C&D. Quick turnaround probably proved his undoing at Hereford last time when reappearing just 3 days aftter completing the hat-trick at Ludlow. Given a break since and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 271114

Fast Buck^t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 107| CD

9/1

Now 15 lb lower than when striking over C&D last January and has performed with credit the last twice, finishing third in 2m handicaps at Ludlow and Taunton. However, this 11-y-o nevertheless looks vulnerable from a win point of view.

Form: 6-85333

Hatos^p,t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 98| CD

3/1

Winner of back-to-back handicaps at Ffos Las and over this C&D last February. Hasn't managed to quite scale those heights since but by no means disgraced back here on his last 2 starts an he's certainly one to consider now 3 lb below the mark of his latest success.

Form: 244-334

Forecasts

Risk De Pluie (5/2), Western General (3/1), Hatos (3/1), Quick Sharpener (9/2), Fast Buck (9/1), Famoso (12/1)

Preference is for QUICK SHARPENER, who left his low-key comeback run well behind when finding just one too good at Newcastle. It's early days for this 8-y-o over fences and he's probably capable of better than his current mark implies. Hatos has edged down the weights and is second choice, albeit only marginally as both Risk de Pluie and Famoso also merit respect.