Join Racing TV This Christmas Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 6m 33.00s

Some Scope^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 122| CD

5/1

Enjoyed finest hour so far when landing the C&D Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day. More miss than hit since, but should come on for last month's Bangor reappearance and now 2 lb below the mark off which he won the Rowland Meyrick.

Form: 1PP5-35

Kilbarry Hill^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 119

9/4

Won 3 on the bounce over hurdles last November/December and wasn't seen to best effect when fifth of 12 on return/chase debut at Carlisle (21f, good to soft). Open to improvement in this sphere and moving back up in trip here will be in his favour.

Form: 11275-5

Geryville^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Callum Bewley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 117| C

13/2

Twice a winner of 19.4f handicaps at this course and latest second here (over that same trip) was a solid effort. No issues stamina-wise now back up in distance (has won at around 3m in the past) and he needs considering.

Form: 1725-52

If Not For Dylan^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 116| D

5/1

Veteran chaser who went close in a C&D handicap on sole previous visit back in January 2022. Off the mark at second attempt for present yard at Newcastle in January this year and very much of interest now back in calmer waters (both starts this season have been in Class 2 handicaps at Aintree).

Form: 1/613-3U

Hudson De Grugy^v¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: S England| OR: 116

18/1

Fairly-useful chaser for Gary & Josh Moore who shaped better than distance beaten on debut for new yard at Hexham. However, he took little interest at Haydock recently and is hard to warm to on the back of that display.

Form: P1P3-69

Carrig Kate^p1²⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 114| BF| D

13/2

Point winner who was placed all 5 starts over hurdles last term, including in 24.4f listed race at Doncaster. Odds-on failure when last seen in March needs forgiving (said to be in season), but she'll have a serious chance if on-song and jumps well now switched to fences in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 4/22233-

El Saviour^t1⁶¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 114| BF

9/2

Dual hurdles winner during 2023/24 campaign and was runner-up on sole start between the flags back in 2022, which augurs well now that she tackles fences. However, it's likely that the run will be needed given that she's returning from a 20-month absence.

Form: 210316/

Forecasts

Kilbarry Hill (9/4), El Saviour (9/2), If Not For Dylan (5/1), Some Scope (5/1), Carrig Kate (13/2), Geryville (13/2), Hudson De Grugy (18/1)

Cases can be made for the majority of these, with KILBARRY HILL shading preference on the back of an encouraging chase debut at Carlisle where he wasn't seen to best effect. He is open to improvement, particularly now stepping back up in trip, and his jumping was pretty assured at Carlisle. Chase debutante Carrig Kate may well benefit from the addition of cheekpieces and she will be a threat granted a clean round of jumping. Geryville, If Not For Dylan and Some Scope all merit respect, too.