Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 5m 55.35s

Idas Boy^p²¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R T Phillips| OR: 145| D

50/1

Won a handicap chase (40/1) at Kilbeggan (25.4f) in July when trained by Noel Meade but failed to match that form when finishing 10th of 22 later in the month, not for the first time displaying a reluctance to jump off at the start. Veteran has plenty to find on stable debut / reappearance.

Form: FF-0310

Kamsinas^t1⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 136| D

9/2

Typically strong-travelling sort won a Grade 2 as a novice and an Aintree handicap on return. Showed a different side when digging deep to finish fourth at Haydock (18.9f, soft) in November. Below-par at Ascot in January but no surprise to see him bounce back over this longer trip.

Form: 010-148

Ike Sport^p,t⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 131

10/1

Developed into a useful hurdler last season, winning 3 times at around 2½ miles. Unsuccessfully tried chasing but not disgraced back over the smaller obstacles when fifth at Sandown (23f) in December, before seemingly amiss when pulled up at Wincanton later that month. Player if back on song here.

Form: 1-34F5P

Patriotik¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 121| D

9/4

Has some notable form this season, finishing fifth in a strong renewal of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f) in October and chasing home Red Dirt Road at Aintree on Boxing Day. Unsuited by sharper test at Ascot earlier this month, this longer trip should be much more to his liking.

Form: 2-25U28

Cloud Dancer^p⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: B S Hughes| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| CD

3/1

Betted previous efforts stepped up in trip when landing a 3m handicap at Doncaster in December. Backed up that effort and confirmed his need for staying trips when fourth of 11 at Wincanton 44 days ago, keeping on having been off the bridle a fair way out. Still lightly-raced and not ruled out.

Form: 28-2414

Good Look Charm^b,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 119

16/1

Fairly useful hurdler who enhanced her good record fresh when winning 8-runner handicap under this jockey at Sandown (19.8f, heavy) in December. Struggled from a 5 lb higher mark in a stronger race last month and while this looks less competitive, she's yet to win from a mark this high.

Form: 4486-18

Pretending⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: L Wadham| OR: 117

7/2

Continued progress with win at Uttoxeter (20f) on reappearance. Hasn't threatened from higher marks since but did take a step back in the right direction when fourth at Fakenham last month. Worth a go at 3 miles on decent ground and better placed than some if this becomes a relative test of speed.

Form: 1-15854

Forecasts

Patriotik (9/4), Cloud Dancer (3/1), Pretending (7/2), Kamsinas (9/2), Ike Sport (10/1), Good Look Charm (16/1), Idas Boy (50/1)

Having been well backed when shaping as if returning to form at Fakenham last time, PRETENDING could have a tactical edge being the only runner to have made the running in recent starts and she may be able to capitalise if this becomes a relative test of speed on drying ground. Patriotik has some notable form in the book this season, and he'll be suited by a return to 3 miles, while Ike Sport is gradually coming back down the handicap and can be more competitive if back on song.