Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 6.07s

Prairie Wolf^p⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 137| D

5/2

Much improved when winning 3 times over fences last season and dispelled pair of non-completions when back on the scoresheet at Haydock (16.3f) in January. Never going well when last of 4 at Kelso (21.6f) 8 days ago but interesting connections turn him out quickly.

Form: 64PU14

Jetoile^p,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 135| D

3/1

Sprung a surprise when winning last season's Old Roan Chase at Aintree. Largely struggled thereafter but more encouraging signs when sixth in veterans' company at Market Rasen (21.4f) and seemingly stretched by 3m at Uttoxeter 2 weeks ago. Not one to write off from easing mark.

Form: P4-0P67

Genois³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131

11/4

Useful chaser who opened account in this sphere on second start for current yard in 4-runner handicap at Wetherby (19.4f) in November. Never threatened back from 2 months off when fourth at that venue in January but he's entitled to be sharper here and respected.

Form: 373164

Kansas City Star^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 129

5/1

Cheekpieces back on when returning to form with a win in 7-runner handicap chase at Doncaster (19f) in November. However, followed that up with pair of non-completions in handicaps at Ascot/Musselburgh in recent months. Tough to predict.

Form: 0691PP

Arthur's Quay^t³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 118| D

7/1

Successful in back-to-back handicaps in 2023 but struggled for form at the end of last year, and no better following a 12-week break when sixth of 8 in handicap chase at Wetherby (19.4f, heavy) 30 days ago. Needs to step up plenty on that to figure.

Form: 4P6756

Non-Runners

Mackenberg³⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Brucio⁷⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: S R B Crawford J: Ben Bromley

Forecasts

Prairie Wolf (5/2), Genois (11/4), Jetoile (3/1), Kansas City Star (5/1), Brucio (5/1), Arthur's Quay (7/1), Mackenberg (8/1)

GENOIS' jumping tempers enthusiasm to a degree but he promises to be sharper for his run at Wetherby 4 weeks ago and earns the vote having eased a little in the weights ahead of this. Prairie Wolf needs to dispel a lesser run at Kelso 8 days ago, yet he'd previously run out a good winner at Haydock and is fancied to bounce back. Irish raider Brucio, on chase debut, is another to consider.