Hazelton Mountford Insurance Brokers Volcano Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:58 | Winning time: 7m 56.5s

Illico De Cotte^p⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| BF

9/4

Irish point/maiden hurdle winner who showed much-improved form when making a winning chase debut at Carlisle (3¼m, good to soft) in October. Better form when placed next 2 starts and can go well again up in trip.

Form: 133-132

The Big Breakaway^t,v³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Anna Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 125

8/1

Now 22 runs since his last win in 2020 but latest second in this headgear at Bangor under this rider was his best effort for some time. Needs to back that up.

Form: 6-P2PP2

Sound And Fury^b²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

7/2

Lightly-raced winning pointer/hurdler who looked rather fortunate to win 2 of his 4 starts over fences this season. However, he remains on the upgrade and impressed with his jumping last time, so needs considering.

Form: P1-3151

Are U Wise To That²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| C

6/1

Successful twice last season, including off 2 lb higher at Cheltenham. Just the one decent effort since, however, running poorly at Lingfield last month.

Form: 140-027

Duke Of Deception^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 117

15/2

Mixed record this season and ran poorly at Bangor last time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 2-5P33P

Northern Poet⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 117| C

9/2

Recorded a hat-trick switched to fences in the second half of 2022/23. First win since when taking veterans event at Doncaster last week despite travelling with little fluency. Able to race off the same mark here so needs considering up in trip.

Form: 55-22P1

Cap Du Nord^p¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112

22/1

Successful twice in 2024 but badly out of form since the autumn.

Form: 7845PP

Forecasts

Illico De Cotte (9/4), Sound And Fury (7/2), Northern Poet (9/2), Are U Wise To That (6/1), Duke Of Deception (15/2), The Big Breakaway (8/1), Cap Du Nord (22/1)

ILLICO DE COTTE has taken well to fences this season and could have more to offer over this longer trip, so gets the vote over recent winners Northern Poet and Sound And Fury.