JCB Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:58 | Winning time: 4m 58.00s

Harper's Brook²²³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

25/1

Scored at Wetherby last December but he's an unreliable type and signed off last term with a tailed-off last of 7 in Celebration Chase at Sandown (15.4f, good to firm) in April. Yard going really well so could bounce back though.

Form: 2143P7-

Royal Jewel¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| BF| C

7/2

Got back on the up with 2m5f reappearance victory at Newton Abbot in October. Posted a good second of 4 in handicap chase at Ascot (21.1f, good) since so must enter calculations.

Form: 3123-12

Donnacha³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: N J Hawke| OR: 128| CD

9/2

Upwardly-mobile chaser last term who scored over C&D and at Chepstow. Returned from 9 months off with an encouraging third of 9 (blundered 2 out) in 2m3f Ffos Las handicap 38 days ago so is firmly in the picture.

Form: 1/3411-3

Saint Anapolino²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127| BF| C

13/2

A three-time winner last season (from 2m to 21f) and hooded for 1st time when a solid fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Kempton (21f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Much respected now going chasing.

Form: 1116-64

U Cant Be Serious¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Freddie Gingell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 124| CD

11/10

Fairly useful winning hurdler who created an excellent impression on his fencing bow when landing 9-runner handicap over C&D (good to soft) 18 days ago. Up 5 lb but this scopey type is very much one to keep on the right side.

Form: 6/7133-1

Pepe Le Moko^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 114

12/1

Winless last term and he fell 1st in handicap chase at Warwick (20f, good) on his return last month. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 66463-F

Forecasts

U Cant Be Serious (11/10), Royal Jewel (7/2), Donnacha (9/2), Saint Anapolino (13/2), Pepe Le Moko (12/1), Harper's Brook (25/1)

A very useful handicap but it's hard to side against Joe Tizzard's U CANT BE SERIOUS who made light of a 9-month absence when an impressive scorer on his chasing bow over C&D and looks the sort to go on improving for a while yet. Donnacha arrives at the top of his game and should ensure the selection doesn't have things all his own way, while Royal Jewel and Harper's Brook can't be discounted either.