Kube - Leicester's Premier Events Venue Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 5m 57.69s

Lac De Constance⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 127

18/1

Pretty smart at his peak but hasn't seen much of the track in recent years. Showed he retains ability when sixth of 8 in 23f Market Rasen handicap hurdle on his second outing since returning from a further 13 months off. Has first chase start for nearly 3 years here.

Form: 653/F-P6

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Jipcot^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

3/1

Newbury handicap hurdle winner last season who made a positive return to fences when 6 lengths third of 9 over 20.5f at Ayr (soft) 18 days ago, leading for a long way. Sure to go well if showing up here in similar form.

Form: 1340P-3

Happy And Fine^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 123| C

8/1

Former C&D scorer who got is head back in front over 3m at Warwick (good to soft) on New Year's Eve. Remains with handicapping scope on old form after a 4 lb rise.

Form: 43P-F41

Taras Halls^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 122

10/3

Blinkered for first time when scoring at Newcastle (2½m). Pulled up next time but very much back on form when second at Haydock (2½m again) 3 weeks ago (probably would have won with a cleaner jump at the last). Can throw in the odd stinker but player if on a going day again.

Form: 6P-P1P2

Landen Calling^p1,t⁴⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121| D

33/1

Won over 3½m at Market Rasen in December 2023. Also a good fourth of 18 over 25f at Cheltenham in October 2024 but hasn't been seen since. First-time cheekpieces replace regular blinkers on return. The betting should help guide given the length of absence.

Form: 25154/4-

Heeztheboy²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Hogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 114| C

85/40

Largely struggled for Pauline Robson but much improved to win 4 of 5 starts for this yard, with the latest win gained over 2½m here just after Christmas. Beat a progressive sort from the Olly Murphy yard on that occasion so even a further 7 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 6-12111

No Tackle^v³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 113| CD

5/1

C&D scorer who posted a career best to win at Lingfield in November. Backed that up when runner-up there just before Christmas. Ought to be competitive again.

Form: 817-712

Forecasts

Heeztheboy (85/40), Jipcot (3/1), Taras Halls (10/3), No Tackle (5/1), Happy And Fine (8/1), Lac De Constance (18/1), Landen Calling (33/1)

HEEZTHEBOY's latest defeat of a lightly-raced improver looks solid form and he could easily still be a step ahead of the handicapper despite having gone up 33 lb since the autumn. Jipcot shaped well back chasing on his recent Ayr reappearance and is feared most ahead of Taras Halls.