13:15 Wetherby

Saturday 1 November 2025

All12:4013:1513:5014:2214:5715:3016:05

Position Payout At bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 4m 49.04s

Ninth Loch^t1¹⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: C J Todd| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 125

40/1

Ended last season's stint with Harry Derham on a high, opening account on these shores in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow in April prior to a solid second at Ffos Las 11 days later. Likely to be in the mix with tongue strap added for this chase/stable debut, provided his jumping passes the test.

Form: 143812-

Geryville^b¹⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 118| CD

28/1

Winner of this race on British debut in 2021 and added another C&D handicap to his tally in January. Also performed well here when runner-up (again over C&D) in March, but that effort is bookmarked by a couple of rather tame ones and, overall, he was more miss than hit last season.

Form: 641725-

Top Target¹⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 114| C

7/2

Sole success under Rules to date was gained in a novice hurdle here in December 2022. Limited to just 4 subsequent appearances, but proved that he retains ability back from 25 months off when fourth of 9 at Warwick in April and this former point winner appeals as the type to make a better chaser.

Form: 2124P/4-

Glen Cannel^p¹²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: L Morgan| OR: 114

25/1

Fit from points and did well back under Rules earlier this year, winning a Perth hunter over 3m and 2½m handicap back there when last seen in July. However, another personal best will be needed following a 6 lb rise for his latest success.

Form: 222-141

Ladronne^t²³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 112| CD

40/1

Capitalised on a falling mark when bagging handicaps here (3m) and at Sedgefield (26.3f) on final 2 starts of last season. Still feasibly treated following a combined 15 lb rise for that brace and he won this race in 2022, but it could be that this trip is on the sharp side for him nowadays.

Form: B94411-

Lightning Flash²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 111

11/10

Has looked an improved model since returning to action in September, winning 2½m Perth handicap hurdle before following up on debut in this sphere at Chepstow (2m, good to firm) 3 weeks ago. 5 lb rise fair and he's a big player for the yard that has saddled the winner of this race twice since 2019.

Form: 8827-11

Strong Foundations^t¹⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 105

9/2

Fair in bumpers and overcame inexperience to land a gamble on hurdles debut at Warwick last October. Didn't really progress in 3 subsequent starts, but certainly wasn't disgraced in a good quality Cheltenham handicap when last seen in April and he's interesting now switched to fences.

Form: 4/16347-

Pep Talking^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 102

13/2

Did really well over fences last season, winning 4 times, and encouraging start to present campaign when second at Huntingdon (2½m, good to firm) last month. Should get back on the scoresheet before long and while he'll face plenty of competition for the lead here, a bold show is anticipated.

Form: P311-22

Non-Runners

Choose A Copper²²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: L Russell & M Scudamore J: P W Wadge

Forecasts

Lightning Flash (11/10), Top Target (7/2), Strong Foundations (9/2), Pep Talking (13/2), Choose A Copper (8/1), Glen Cannel (25/1), Geryville (28/1), Ladronne (40/1), Ninth Loch (40/1)

With several confirmed front-runners present, there won't be much hanging about here. STRONG FOUNDATIONS is one who will benefit from a proper test at this trip judged on what he showed over hurdles last season and while his jumping will need to be on-point at the first time of asking over fences, he was runner-up on his sole start in points and looks every inch a chasing type. Pep Talking is just about feared most ahead of the promising Lightning Flash, while Choose A Copper also has claims.