Consort/DWF Christmas Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 4m 51.4s

Grain D'oudairies^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128| C

12/1

Course winner who posted a career best when making a successful return in 7-runner handicap chase at Kelso (17.1f, good to soft) 20 days ago. Things will be tougher off 8 lb higher mark but he can't be ruled out.

Form: 1F634-1

Road To Home³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 128

9/4

Bumper/hurdles winner who has acquitted himself well in both starts in this sphere, latest when fifth of 11 in novice chase at Galway (22.5f, soft, 14/1) 33 days ago. May have more to offer on handicap chase debut here.

Form: R31F-35

Here Comes Georgie^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 127

14/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Patrick Neville but offered little, albeit from 9 lb out of the weights, on debut for new yard at Exeter earlier this month. Likely best watched.

Form: 683-136

Alien Storm³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125

7/1

Confirmed promise of return effort when winning 5-runner handicap chase (9/4) at Plumpton (19.8f, soft) 39 days ago, driven clear. 5 lb higher now but ought to go well again.

Form: 1324-21

Vintage Fizz^p1²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 124

20/1

On a long losing run but handicapper has afforded him a chance and had no luck at Aintree last time when coming in for some support. Now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 42657P

Taras Halls^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 118

5/1

Justified support, in first-time blinkers, when landing 7-runner handicap chase at Newcastle (20.1f, good to soft) 14 days ago, bit in hand. 6 lb rise fair and holds strong claims.

Form: 216P-P1

Tapley^t⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 110

13/8

Opened account in this sphere when readily taking 8-runner handicap chase at Wincanton (20.2f, good, 5/4) 8 days ago. 7 lb penalty to carry now but promising conditional keeps the ride.

Form: 65-6321

Forecasts

Tapley (13/8), Road To Home (9/4), Taras Halls (5/1), Alien Storm (7/1), Grain D'oudairies (12/1), Here Comes Georgie (14/1), Vintage Fizz (20/1)

TARAS HALLS got back on track when scoring at Newcastle a fortnight ago and hasn't been harshly treated for that success. He may be able to follow up. Wincanton winner Tapley and Irish raider Road To Home are feared most.