64th Badger Beers Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 6m 15.54s

Threeunderthrufive^p,t¹⁹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152WS

9/2

Smart chaser but he turned in a rare poor effort when pulled up in Grand National at Aintree and looked none too keen in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown final start. However, too soon to be writing him off and yard has won this a record 11 times.

Form: 10/32PP-

Soul Icon^t²¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 144

5/2

Prolific over hurdles and won a Grade 2 Kempton handicap chase last Christmas. Failed to build on that in 3 subsequent starts, though, and stamina is a concern stepping up in trip on return.

Form: 241629-

Art Of Diplomacy^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 137| D

9/2

Made it 5-6 this season when easily landing a match at Newton Abbot (21f, soft). Likely to have won again but for a last fence fall at Chepstow last month and remains of interest.

Form: 11111F

Scarface^p²⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 136WS

4/1

Ended last season in top form, winning at Newton Abbot in April. Back up in class now but this reliable sort is likely to give another good account if ready to go.

Form: 224021-

Tommie Beau²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Houlihan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 135| D

18/1

Signs of decline since his last win at Cartmel early last season and well held back from 4 months off at Sedgefield 3 weeks ago. Mark still looks high enough on recent form.

Form: 56-2274

Credo^t²²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 133| C| D

14/1

Useful handicapper who won 2 veteran events towards the end of last season. Excuses final start but may find this too competitive on return.

Form: 441415-

Gustavian^t²⁵²

11/2

Without a win since 2022/23 and record was up and down last season. Third in this off a similar mark on reappearance a year ago.

Form: 3P2F27-

Forecasts

Soul Icon (5/2), Scarface (4/1), Threeunderthrufive (9/2), Art Of Diplomacy (9/2), Gustavian (11/2), Credo (14/1), Tommie Beau (18/1)

ART OF DIPLOMACY continues in the form of his life and is fancied to gain compensation for his final-fence fall at Chepstow last month when set to score again. Threeunderthrufive could well bounce back given his trainer's superb record in this, while Scarface ended last season with a career-best win at Newton Abbot.