The Racing Blogger Handicap Chase

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 4f | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 105

Failed to build on chasing debut fourth when beating just one in handicap chase at Sandown (15.4f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Back up in trip now with cheekpieces added and this fair hurdles winner is worth another chance.

Form: 251P-44

Roger Rarebit^v,t²⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 104| D

In good nick last term until pulled up in handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f) 8 months ago. Has won off a break though so can't be discounted on his seasonal return.

Form: P3P/24P-

Koenigsstern²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 103

Dual winning pointer who opened his chase account at Fontwell last Boxing Day. Back to form when third of 5 in handicap chase at Fontwell (19.5f, soft) on his recent return. Can make his presence felt here.

Form: 21464-3

The Grey Man⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: James Best| T: H Dickin| OR: 102

Shaped encouragingly after 6 months off when fourth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (20f, good to soft) 64 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Much respected now going chasing.

Form: 71366-4

Bobbi's Beauty¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 98| BF| D

A two-time 2m chase scorer who has advanced her form this term, a close fourth of 8 in handicap chase at Lingfield (16f, good) 18 days ago. That form has been franked since so she's a likely player if her stamina holds out.

Form: 1731-24

Almeirinda²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 98

Showed fair hurdling form in France in 2023 but well held both runs for her current yard, last of 7 in handicap hurdle at Leicester (15.5f, heavy) 21 days ago. Needs this switch to chasing to spark major improvement.

Form: 42/8-7

Pescatorius^t,p⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Summers| OR: 97

Better than ever and bids for a hat-trick after handicap chase wins at Sedgefield in October and Market Rasen (21.4f) 48 days ago. Since bought out of Olly Murphy's yard for 5,500 gns but still needs considering.

Form: 453211

Rathmacknee⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 90| D

It's now 16 runs since his last win in 2022 but he posted a respectable fifth of 11 in handicap chase at Stratford (22.6f, good to soft) 62 days ago. No forlorn hope off a slipping mark.

Form: 7P0-445

Cornish Comedy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Price| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 89

Much improved on his chasing bow when a clear second of 13 in handicap at Hereford (20.9f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Looks to have more to offer so he has to be taken seriously nudged up 2 lb.

Form: 4/682-92

Forecasts

Pescatorius (9/4), Northern Air (4/1), Cornish Comedy (5/1), Bobbi's Beauty (6/1), Roger Rarebit (10/1), The Grey Man (10/1), Koenigsstern (12/1), Almeirinda (14/1), Rathmacknee (20/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but the vote goes to CORNISH COMEDY who looked a different model sent chasing when a clear runner-up at Hereford and can go one better off just a 2 lb higher mark. In-form Bobbi's Beauty could prove a major threat though if her stamina holds out stepped up in distance. Others to consider in a competitive event include Koenigsstern, Roger Rarebit, Pescatorius and Northern Air.