Resolve Group UK Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:09 | Winning time: 7m 11.09s

Cooper's Cross³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: W Coltherd| OR: 104| C

12/1

Veteran chaser who has fallen a long way down the weights since his prime, almost certainly beaten by more than a lack of fitness after 3 months off when fifth of 6 in handicap chase at Kelso (26.2f, good) 39 days ago, finding little. Likely best watched despite tumbling mark/further ease in class.

Form: PPP/785

Upfordebate^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 92| BF

5/4

Started really well in this sphere, supplementing breakthrough Hexham success in August in 8-runner contest at Perth (23.8f) a month later. Jumping lacked same fluency when pulled up at first-named venue 6 weeks ago but no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: P6-511P

Ballylinch^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 91| C

9/1

Dual scorer over fences during 2023/24 (at up to 27f) but he didn't show enough short-term promise following an 18-month lay-ff (also tongue tied) when distant fourth of 5 in a C&D handicap chase 25 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on now but would need to see confidence behind him in the betting.

Form: 2541/2-4

Emotional Roller²³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 90| BF

3/1

Gained his breakthrough win at Catterick in January and continued in good form thereafter, fitted with cheekpieces (left off here) when fifth at Carlisle (24.5f) in March. Longest trip he's faced to date expected to suit if ready to roll following 7 months off.

Form: P51325-

Halfway House Lad^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 81

10/3

Won back-to-back handicaps over fences in March and showed benefit of a recent run when fourth of 12 in handicap chase at Ayr (24.1f, soft, 10/1) 12 days ago. Fact he's yet to defy this sort of mark is a slight concern but he's respected nevertheless as an in-form sort.

Form: 12-U2P4

West Lawn¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Reed| T: J Walton| OR: 77

28/1

Dual hurdles winner who has also scored twice in points. However, she remains a maiden in chases and failed to come on for her reappearance run when sixth of 8 in handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f) 19 days ago, jumping tentatively and never on terms. Best watched.

Form: 133P-56

Non-Runners

Skyhill²⁶²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 12

T: Mrs A C Hamilton J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Upfordebate (5/4), Emotional Roller (3/1), Halfway House Lad (10/3), Skyhill (6/1), Ballylinch (9/1), Cooper's Cross (12/1), West Lawn (28/1)

UPFORDEBATE's fluency in the jumping department wasn't all it could have been when pulled up at Hexham 6 weeks ago, yet he'd previously looked one to keep on side at this sort of level, registering back-to-back victories at around 3m and he's afforded another chance to get back on the up. The returning Emotional Roller rates next best over the longest trip he's faced. Skyhill and Halfway House Lad complete the shortlist.