Aintree From Afar At Wincanton Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 122| CD

Ended last season with a hat-trick of staying handicap chase wins (twice over C&D) in the mud. Mark rose considerably as a result and failed to come on for his reappearance when pulled up in the Welsh National in December. This rates more suitable at least.

Form: 5111-4P

Saladins Son¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 120| CD

Successful in a maiden hurdle (25f, soft) on return/stable debut in November and quickly dispelled his chase debut non-completion when running out a good winner of a C&D handicap 11 days ago, making most and just kept up to his work late on. Appeals as a young stayer to keep on side.

Form: 272-1P1

Enjoy Your Life¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115

Won a pair of handicap chases around 3m last winter and reappeared from 8 months off with an encouraging second at Chepstow (19.5f) in November. Ran poorly when pulled up at Exeter next time though, and he was well held despite finishing third behind Saladins Son over C&D 11 days ago.

Form: 13P-2P3

Caeruleum¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 106| BF| C

Much improved when opening his account over further here in December and made light of an 8 lb rise when readily following up at Taunton (26.2f) later that month. Latest weight rise seemed enough to anchor him when sixth at Bangor (29.6f) 19 days ago but not ruled out back down in trip.

Form: 2-32116

Forecasts

Saladins Son (4/5), Caeruleum (7/2), No Hubs No Hoobs (4/1), Enjoy Your Life (7/1)

SALADINS SON looked a young stayer to keep on side when opening his chase account in good style over C&D 11 days ago and, in the hope this doesn't come too soon, he's expected to make a bold bid to follow up from a 5 lb higher mark. Caeruleum is narrowly preferred to No Hubs No Hoobs for the forecast.