Book The Great Value Horseshoe Package Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:57 | Winning time: 4m 56.90s

Imperial Rule^t⁵⁶

11/2

Made a good transition to chasing last term, winning 3 of his 6 starts, including over C&D. Left Rebecca Menzies and off 1 1months prior to a sound return to action at Sedgefield. This looks a good opportunity.

Form: 05113-3

El Muchacho^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 93| C

13/2

Largely disappointing for various trainers since 2023/24 but returned to form from out of the blue to win at Sedgefield in November. Given overall profile, he failed badly to back that up returned to that venue 18 days later.

Form: 708015

Defence Witness^p,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: S England| OR: 90| C

10/11

Got off the mark over fences at Cartmel in May but resumed from 6 months off with a well-held third of 7 in handicap chase over C&D 16 days ago. Should run closer to form this time.

Form: 438-153

Beat The Edge^b⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 78| CD

11/4

Not one to trust given his record and has struggled to make an impact since returning from a break.

Form: 235455

Forecasts

Defence Witness (10/11), Beat The Edge (11/4), Imperial Rule (11/2), El Muchacho (13/2)

IMPERIAL RULE made a solid return to action for Lizzie Quinlan when third to El Muchacho over C&D in November and is expected to reverse the form with that in-and-out rival. Defence Witness should strip fitter with his reappearance behind him and may emerge as the chief threat.