Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 6m 23.9s

Goshen^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 137| C

4/1

Very smart hurdler at his best. Opened chase account at third attempt on final run at Exeter last term and, following a couple of spins over the smaller obstacles, he wasn't disgraced back in this sphere at Ascot (23.8f, good) 3 weeks ago. Needs considering down 3 lb in this lower-grade handicap.

Form: 931-P35

Excello²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

4/1

French import who showed useful form when winning a 21f Ascot graduation chase last winter. Placed in 3 novices back hurdling this winter but safely held in an Exeter handicap in that sphere on latest start and he's opposable now returned to fences

Form: 0P-2237

Hubrisko^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 128

7/1

Useful chaser at best for Willie Mullins and bettered what he showed on first 2 starts for this yard when fourth in a 6-runner Musselburgh handicap (23.6f, good to soft) last time. Down another 2 lb and he's of interest here for his burgeoning, in-form yard.

Form: 291-784

Hoe Joly Smoke^t⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| BF| CD

9/4

Point winner who confirmed chase debut promise when scoring over C&D (good to soft) on penultimate start. Ultimately disappointing at Newbury next time (travelled notably well before finding little at the business end) but there was an excuse (reportedly bled) and he's worth another chance.

Form: P/32-215

Dreaming Blue^b,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127

9/2

Resumed winning ways at Ludlow in December and has backed that up with creditable efforts in defeat at Kempton and over this C&D the last twice. Drying ground no bad thing for this 8-y-o and he should be in the thick of things once again.

Form: 11-3142

Java Point^t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 127| CD

9/1

Largely consistent sort who made a bright start to this season when runner-up at Cheltenham in November. By no means disgraced in a valuable handicap at the same course next time but rather blotted his copybook when pulled up at Ascot on his latest start.

Form: 145-24P

Forecasts

Hoe Joly Smoke (9/4), Goshen (4/1), Excello (4/1), Dreaming Blue (9/2), Hubrisko (7/1), Java Point (9/1)

HOE JOLY SMOKE has been given a short break following his below par display at Newbury and, if over whatever caused him to check out so tamely on that occasion, he may well resume winning ways having scored in good style here on his penultimate start. Dreaming Blue lost little caste in defeat when second to a bang in-form rival on deep ground over C&D last time and he is a much-respected main danger. Goshen is best of the rest.