Extech Cloud Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 5m 19.25s

Atreides^t,v1¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Bradley Harris| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94| BF

4/1

Long-standing maiden but holding his form well, narrowly denied another in the frame finish when fifth under a hands and heels ride at Fontwell (21.6f) last time. Will need things to fall right to break his duck but looks worth a well worth a try in first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces).

Form: P-72325

King Of Highways¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 93

6/4

Out of a chaser but did show ability (while hinting at temperament) in bumpers/hurdles. Hung left but immediately bettered his form on chase debut (first start for 10 months) when third at Lingfield (20f, good) 11 days ago. Unexposed over fences and worth taking a chance on.

Form: 9/0546-3

Birdman Bob^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Mitchell| T: A Irvine| OR: 92| CD

2/1

Ended 2 year losing run with an improved display on reappearance over C&D last month, benefitting from a more positive ride to see off 6 rivals. Won easily that day and has been competitive off this sort of mark (7 lb higher) at his best. Should go well again.

Form: 4352P-1

Crac De Megaudais^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Hutsby⁽⁷⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 88| D

15/2

Well supported when easily opening his account over hurdles at Fakenham (2½m, soft) in January. Struggled to make an impact off higher marks, unable to justify support on second start over fences at Huntingdon last time. Dropped 2 lb and worth a check to see if the money comes again.

Form: 5714-35

Hilltown¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Sansom| T: J W Mullins| OR: 80| C

14/1

Both career wins at this track, latterly over fences in April 2024 and going well when unseated rider later that month. Off 19 months prior to being pulled up in error over hurdles here 2 weeks ago and market should guide on what is effectively his comeback run.

Form: P321U/P

Forecasts

King Of Highways (6/4), Birdman Bob (2/1), Atreides (4/1), Crac De Megaudais (15/2), Hilltown (14/1)

KING OF HIGHWAYS doesn't look entirely straightforward but he's unexposed over fences and may be able to make his second chase start a winning one. Recent C&D winner Birdman Bob looks the danger given he should make another bold bid from the front, while in-form Atreides clearly isn't the easiest to win with but cannot be discounted in a change of headgear.