Nagaraj Rao Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:59 | Winning time: 4m 1.70s

Schmilsson²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| D

11/4

Won twice over hurdles, but quickly enhanced his form sent chasing, winning his first 2 starts in this sphere at Perth with minimum fuss. Lost his unbeaten chase record with a mixed round of jumping at Stratford earlier this month but worth another chance on just his fourth start over fences

Form: 543-114

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Ballywilliam Boy^b,t⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121

7/2

On a long losing run but should have made a winning return to chasing at Warwick (2m) for new connections in May but did plenty wrong from the final fence to the line. Again flattered to deceive when third in a 4-runner Huntingdon chase later that month. Capable but needs things to fall right.

Form: 3290-23

In The Air²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph| OR: 113| D

4/1

Fairly useful sort on his day for previous connections but has been more miss than hit in 3 starts for Alastair Ralph, faring no better retried in headgear (now discarded) on only his fourth starts over fences at Newton Abbot 3 weeks ago, finished well held. Needs more.

Form: 6266-54

Hold Onto The Line¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 105| BF| D

7/4

Resumed winning ways in 3-runner handicap at Newcastle (16.3f, good) last month in March and continued in good heart on subsequent starts for James Owart. Makes debut for excellent stable (who field 3 runners) and market should guide expectations returning from a 105-day absence.

Form: 233133-

En Avant^t⁶¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy| OR: 101| D

16/1

Improved when winning a Worcester maiden and Fontwell novice on first 2 outings for Olly Murphy in 2023 but found out in better company back in handicaps subsequently. Now sent chasing following a significant (20 month) absence and market should prove informative on his return.

Form: 4U1180/

Non-Runners

Alshadhian³⁸

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hold Onto The Line (7/4), Schmilsson (11/4), Ballywilliam Boy (7/2), In The Air (4/1), Alshadhian (5/1), En Avant (16/1)

SCHMILSSON had been on the up as a chaser prior to losing his unbeaten record over fences at Stratford earlier this month and is taken to get back on track on only his fourth start over the larger obstacles. Ballywilliam Boy is very capable at this level but will need things to fall right if he's to break a long losing run while Hold Onto The Line looks an interesting recruit for the triply-represented Olly Murphy yard.