Shorefields Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 20.11s

Restandbethankful^t⁴³

13/2

C&D winner who has been in a lull over hurdles/fences since the turn of the year, jumping sketchily when pulled up in handicap chase at Bangor (17.4f, good) 43 days ago. Does find himself 5 lb below last winning mark if return to this venue/wind op has positive effect.

Form: 4786-5P

Pittsburg^p,t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: R Potter| OR: 94| CD

7/2

Likeable type who toughed it out under testing conditions when resuming winning ways in 9-runner C&D handicap in June. Rare below-par display when seventh over hurdles at Uttoxeter 11 days ago and likely type to bounce back returned to chasing.

Form: 12-2417

Sky Luna^p1⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 91

14/1

Successful between the flags in 2024 and positive enough start over hurdles when placed in maiden/novice company here last summer. However, form tailed off pretty badly thereafter and she needs to take a big step back in the right direction now equipped with cheekpieces for this chase debut.

Form: 123PP-7

Couldbeaweapon^p,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 82

9/4

Fair 2m winner over hurdles who ran up to his recent best when good second of 5 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (17.2f, heavy, 2/1) 13 days ago, rallying to take that place close home. Possibilities for all he's an infrequent winner.

Form: 964-732

Lady's Present¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: C Gethings| T: P A Kirby| OR: 77

8/1

Long-standing maiden who bettered a couple of hurdle exploits in June when third of 5 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (17.2f, heavy) 13 days ago. Still lightly raced in this sphere so she could yet have more to offer from a basement mark.

Form: 45F-673

Rory's Story^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 75

11/4

Maiden hurdler/chaser who shaped as if still in good form when fourth of 8 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (2m, good) 11 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Not without hope in an open-looking handicap.

Form: 636-324

Forecasts

Couldbeaweapon (9/4), Rory's Story (11/4), Pittsburg (7/2), Restandbethankful (13/2), Lady's Present (8/1), Sky Luna (14/1)

COULDBEAWEAPON clearly isn't the easiest to win with but there have been more encouraging signs with a tongue tie fitted of late and he could be the answer to this tricky puzzle. C&D winner Pittsburg who quickly switches back to larger obstacles is an obvious threat, whilst confidence behind Restandbethankful returned to this venue would need to be viewed positively.