Play On PricedUp Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 5m 26.41s

Forsa Bay^h1²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: L Morgan| OR: 99

5/1

Steadily progressive in maiden/novice company, second in an 11-runner contest at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) in January. No impact both starts in handicaps and hood goes on for chase debut following 7 months off.

Form: 0/742P5-

Lord Maher^v⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: K Jewell| OR: 87

7/1

Modest winner on hurdles debut in Ireland last summer but 0-9 since. However, was in the process of running well (booked for second) when departing through no fault of his own late on at Fontwell 6 weeks ago. Should stay this far.

Form: 66445B

Girls Best Friend⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 87

4/7

Little impact in maiden hurdles but is bred for chasing (related to yard's Grand National winner Mon Mome) and duly showed much-improved form when making a winning handicap/chase debut at Uttoxeter on return last week. Obvious claims off the same mark if this doesn't come too soon.

Form: U/5P5-1

Beat The Edge^v1¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 83| D

18/1

Not one to trust given his record and has struggled to make an impact since returning from a break.

Form: 2-32354

Caro Des Flos²¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Jones| T: J S Smith| OR: 80| CD

18/1

C&D specialist who has won this for the last 2 years. Needed belated comeback 3 weeks ago but hat-trick in this probably beyond him now rising 14.

Form: 55531-P

Lone Soldier⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Toby Wynne| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 78

16/1

Free-going sort who didn't show much for Dan Skelton and similar story for this yard. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 3/PP5-P5

Florita^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: S England| OR: 74

14/1

Placed in points and has little form over hurdles. Big improvement needed on chase bow.

Form: 8750-54

Forecasts

Girls Best Friend (4/7), Forsa Bay (5/1), Lord Maher (7/1), Florita (14/1), Lone Soldier (16/1), Beat The Edge (18/1), Caro Des Flos (18/1)

GIRLS BEST FRIEND showed much improved form sent handicapping at Uttoxeter on his return last week and has obvious claims off the same mark if this doesn't come too soon (due to go up 6 lb). Lord Maher was in the process of running well when brought down at the last at Fontwell and is next best ahead of veteran Caro Des Flos, who has won this for the last 2 years.