bet365 Pennine Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 6.09s

Joyeux Machin²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

4/1

Some good efforts in defeat for this yard last season but looks to be being brought along gradually this campaign, eighth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (24.3f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Back chasing and interesting to see market support.

Form: 5322-78

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Ile De Jersey⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

10/1

In good form this summer, winning handicap hurdle and chase over 2½m. Showed further improvement when resuming winning ways at Warwick but disappointed at Chepstow after. Given a break since and type to bounce back.

Form: 113216

Hurricane Bay^p,t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 130| C| D

8/1

Dual hurdles winner at this track and even better over fences, winning at Fakenham in June. Respectable second over C&D on return and entitled to build on that.

Form: P61-P12

Docpickedme^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 129| CD

9/2

Enhanced fine Doncaster record when winning the Great Yorkshire over C&D in January off this mark. Shaped as if in good heart reverted to fences when third at Newcastle 2 weeks ago and big player back at this venue.

Form: 321P-53

Erne River^b²³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 128| CD

20/1

Found his run of good form coming to a halt at Bangor on final start last term. Record fresh not great in recent seasons so opposable on return.

Form: U4443P-

Alcedo^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

7/2

A fairly useful hurdles/chase scorer who left comeback well behind fitted with this headgear when narrow winner at Newcastle 2 weeks ago. Pulled clear with a progressive type that day so claims off 6 lb higher.

Form: P/413-91

Prince Zaltar²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

9/4

Hurdle/chaser winner for Philip Rothwell in Ireland and made a successful start for the Dan Skelton yard at Newton Abbot in September. Excellent second at Cheltenham last time and ought to be competitive back over fences.

Form: 1P4162

Forecasts

Prince Zaltar (9/4), Alcedo (7/2), Joyeux Machin (4/1), Docpickedme (9/2), Hurricane Bay (8/1), Ile De Jersey (10/1), Erne River (20/1)

DOCPICKEDME won the Great Yorkshire over C&D off this mark last season and arrives on the back of a promising third at Newcastle 2 weeks ago. He gets the vote over Alcedo, who responded well to this headgear when pulling clear with a progressive type at Newcastle 2 weeks ago. Prince Zaltar is open to improvement making his chase debut for this yard.