University Hospitals Birmingham Charity Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 4m 48.96s

Romanor¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 99| C

5/1

Course winner isn't straightforward but did string together a pair of runner-up efforts in May. Found a run of relatively good form coming to a halt when well beaten at Newton Abbot (21f) 19 days ago. On a long losing run and will need things to fall right if he's to end that sequence here.

Form: 674-224

Greenrock Abbey^v¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 93| D

2/1

Resurgent for new yard when cashing in off much-reduced mark with a visor fitted over fences at Market Rasen (19.1f) last month. Not as effective over hurdles at next time and didn't jump well enough back over fences at Cartmel 14 days ago. Still on a lenient mark on the best of his form.

Form: 4321PF

Fox Wallace^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 83| C

10/1

Suited by a change of tactics when winning from the front at this track in May. Well held next 2 starts but back to form when second (behind Boom Boom) returned to this course (17f) 26 days ago. Has a bit of work to do if she's to reverse that form.

Form: 23-1582

Boom Boom^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: B R Summers| OR: 83| C

3/1

Modest hurdle winner for Nicky Henderson. Hinted at a revival for current connections when third over this course in May and built on that promise when successful in a 17f chase here last month, scoring by 3½ lengths from Fox Wallace (ridden out). Claims if in the same form here.

Form: 5PFP-31

McGrath From Clune^p,t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 82

33/1

Lost his way in Ireland and no promise in 5 starts for current connections, a well beaten last of 3 in a poor race in May. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: PF734-3

My Virtue^t1⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 81WS

3/1

Made a reasonably encouraging chasing debut when second at this course (17f) in May but went backwards from that run when well held at Market Rasen the following month. Has since undergone a breathing operation (wears first time tongue tie) and remains to be seen if she can bounce back.

Form: 30/12-24

Forecasts

Greenrock Abbey (2/1), Boom Boom (3/1), My Virtue (3/1), Romanor (5/1), Fox Wallace (10/1), McGrath From Clune (33/1)

GREENROCK ABBEY was quickly back to form upon joining James Owen and despite a pair of non-completions in quick-fire starts at the end of last month, he likely remains well treated on the best of his form. Boom Boom got off the mark for new connections here last month and ought to be competitive if in the same form, while fellow course winner Romanor could well bounce back returned to this venue, for all he isn't the easiest to win with.