Coral 'New' Horse Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 6.78s

Soul Icon^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 143| BF| C

9/2

Prolific over hurdles and won a Grade 2 handicap chase here (2m) last Christmas. Failed to build on that in 3 subsequent runs last term but best not judged on his reappearance when unseating in the Badger Ales at Wincanton (25.1f) in November. This can see him in a better light.

Form: 41629-U

Your Darling⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 138

15/2

Often finds less than looks likely but he is a 4-time winner over fences, latterly at Uttoxeter (20f) in spring 2024. Shaped as if retaining his ability despite his old failings being in evidence when last of 4 on belated return at Ascot (21f) in November and that has to be a concern ahead of this.

Form: P91P/1-4

The Doyen Chief²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 138| CD

5/4

On the up with handicap wins over C&D and Warwick last March and shaped well when second on return at Bangor. Easy to overlook his Newbury run next time and he was quickly back to form when fifth at Cheltenham (26.3f) 4 weeks ago, his stamina ebbing away late. Interesting back at 3m.

Form: 211-2P5

Beachcomber^b¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 134| CD

11/2

Career best when landing a C&D handicap in first-time blinkers last Christmas. Signed off with a good third in Pat Taaffe Chase at Punchestown in May but he's yet to fire in pair of starts so far this winter. Has it to prove at present.

Form: P163-PP

Sea Invasion^b,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 114

7/2

Went back-to-back at Plumpton (25.7f) in the spring. Without headgear mix and looked rusty after 7 months off when sixth of 7 in handicap chase at Wincanton (20.2f, soft) 37 days ago and this tougher again up in class from out of the weights. Blinkers/tongue tie refitted.

Form: 6321-16

Non-Runners

Welcom To Cartries³⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Forecasts

The Doyen Chief (5/4), Welcom To Cartries (13/8), Sea Invasion (7/2), Soul Icon (9/2), Beachcomber (11/2), Your Darling (15/2)

C&D winner THE DOYEN CHIEF ran well for a long way when fifth in a much deeper handicap at Cheltenham 4 weeks ago, only finding his stamina ebbing away late in the day. A return to this less demanding track can see Alan King's strong-travelling type to much better effect and he can strike. Sandown scorer Welcome to Cartries and Soul Icon could be the dangers.