4 Oaks Group Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 18.61s

Opening Bid^p¹⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 119| C| D

7/1

Won 5 times in 2023/24 and returned to winning ways at Exeter (19.2f, good) in October. However, failed to repeat that effort next 2 starts and bounce back called for after over 5 months off.

Form: 535194-

Salley Gardens^p,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 114| D

5/4

Fair hurdles/chase winner who was left with a straightforward task when making a winning return to fences at Southwell 5 weeks ago. Remains on a decent mark up 4 lb so could follow up.

Form: 5/24251-

Thor De Cerisy^b1,t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112

17/2

Dual chase scorer in 2023/24. However, just respectable efforts at best last term and different headgear now applied.

Form: 025P53-

Diplomatic Ash^p,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: G & J Moore| OR: 111

11/4

Temperamental sort but put his best foot forward when opening his account at Fontwell in March and defied a 3 lb rise with cheekpieces applied back there later that month. Might have found next run coming too soon so could bounce back.

Form: 43P118-

High Moon^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 109

6/1

Over 2 years since last win and failed to get the job done after trading odds on in-running for the fourth time last season at Kelso last month.

Form: 354F53-

Forecasts

Salley Gardens (5/4), Diplomatic Ash (11/4), High Moon (6/1), Opening Bid (7/1), Thor De Cerisy (17/2)

SALLEY GARDENS looked as good as ever when making a winning return to chasing at Southwell and this represents another good opportunity. Diplomatic Ash might have found his third quick run too much when bidding for the hat-trick at Fontwell 5 weeks ago so can be expected to bounce back.