William Hill Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 5m 0.82s

Minella Drama^t⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 147| CD

8/1

Enhanced his already solid record here when landing last season's Old Roan Chase over C&D. Didn't kick on thereafter but bounced back to form after 7 months off when third in this year's corresponding race in October. Possibilities if arriving in same form.

Form: P/1P9P-3

Heltenham^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| BF| D

7/2

Back to best when winning in good style at Perth in April and, though not quite in same form since, his recent efforts have been creditable, likely a stronger gallop would have suited when second of 6 in handicap chase at Newbury (19.8f) 28 days ago. Lurks on a handy mark.

Form: 1-P8332

Josh The Boss^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Jamie Neild⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| CD

9/4

3-time hurdle winner (including here) who walked over on second chase start at Newbury (18.3f) in November and proved his opening mark lenient when making a winning handicap chase debut in 4-runner novices' handicap chase at Doncaster (19.1f) 4 weeks ago. This tougher but respected nevertheless.

Form: P8-8211

Prairie Wolf^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 132| D

7/2

Defied a 1 lb lower mark at Haydock (16.3f) back in January. Disappointed thereafter but like plenty from this yard he's resumed in good order, finishing a creditable third of 12 in handicap chase at Newbury (22.4f) 27 days ago. Merits consideration.

Form: 143P-33

Inedit Star²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 128

11/4

A dual bumper/hurdles winner in France. Yet to score over fences, but he's proving reliable and posted a solid third of 6 in a C&D handicap 3 weeks ago. Likely to be thereabouts again from a 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 3533-23

Forecasts

Josh The Boss (9/4), Inedit Star (11/4), Prairie Wolf (7/2), Heltenham (7/2), Minella Drama (8/1)

A competitive race containing plenty of in-form sorts with PRAIRIE WOLF narrowly selected to come out on top. He posted a solid effort when chasing home a less-exposed pair at Newbury on his most recent outing 4 weeks ago and he's very much lurking on a handy mark. Similar comments apply to Heltenham who rates next best, ahead of Inedit Star.