Book Your Raceday Hospitality Now Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 30.3s

The Wolf^t,v⁹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 131| D

9/1

Not straightforward but arrives chasing a hat-trick after taking small-field handicaps at Huntingdon (23.6f, good) and Leicester (22.7f, good to firm) in November. Remains feasibly treated on old form but this is a tougher contest than of late.

Form: 3P5-211

Lieutenant Command^p¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 126

40/1

Useful handicap chaser at best for Noel Meade. Making second start back after a 16-month absence, runner-up at this course (20.9f, soft) in December, but failed to repeat that effort when pulled up at Musselburgh 16 days ago. Has since left Tim Reed.

Form: 16/0-P2P

Fortunate Man^p,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| BF| D

5/2

Won 2 of 4 races over hurdles and made third start over fences a winning one when landing an Aintree handicap (25f, soft) on Boxing Day. Ran at least as well when second at Windsor (28.7f, good to soft) last month and he's not taken lightly.

Form: 31-7212

Tanganyika¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125| C| D

11/4

Won twice in handicap hurdles last season and has already bettered that form over fences, opening his chase account at the third attempt when scoring at Market Rasen (23.9f, good to soft) 13 days ago. Major player with better still to come.

Form: 130-541

Geryville^b²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 122| C

8/1

With blinkers refitted, ended a lengthy losing run at this course (20f) last March and suited by return to more positive tactics when also successful at Wetherby (19.4f, heavy) 25 days ago. Step back up in trip no problem and and he could be in the mix.

Form: 312-641

Not Sure^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Liam Harrison| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 107| D

10/1

Three time winner in handicap chases, but went backwards from this season's reappearance when well held at Windsor (28.7f, good to soft) last month. Has dropped below his last winning mark, though he has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 3432-58

Raceview Road^p1⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 105| BF| D

10/3

Made a winning chase debut at Kelso (21.6f) in April last year and ran well next 3 starts, runner-up at this C&D in November. Shaped better than pulling up would suggest at Kelso (32.4f, soft) last time, so he could bounce back with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 21-432P

Forecasts

Fortunate Man (5/2), Tanganyika (11/4), Raceview Road (10/3), Geryville (8/1), The Wolf (9/1), Not Sure (10/1), Lieutenant Command (40/1)

TANGANYIKA built on the promise of his chasing debut effort at the second attempt when winning readily at Market Rasen 13 days ago, getting the better of a progressive type, and he can follow up with further improvement to come. Fortunate Man has also made a positive start to his chasing career and is respected, with Geryville the pick of the remainder.