Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Dick Hunt Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 3 | 3m 1f 30y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136| C

Useful hurdler who is a chasing sort on looks and took well to fences with a 3m Exeter handicap success last February. Continued the good work when second at Fontwell on return and, though well held in Class 2 races the last twice (latterly over hurdles), he will be a threat if bouncing back.

Form: 651-2P6

Collectors Item^b³³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| C| D

3/1

Dual chase winner last season who made an encouraging return to action when runner-up in the Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow. Struggled in the Welsh National itself next time but he's impossible to rule out back down in class/trip here.

Form: 21P8-29

Take Your Time^p³¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 121| CD

11/2

Patchy record and he was some way below his best in a handful of appearances last season. However, he's certainly not short of talent and, now 1 lb below his last winning mark, it will be interesting to see how he shapes up in the betting.

Form: PP1/3PP-

Jupiter Allen^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Chester Williams| OR: 121

3/1

Found improvement when outpointing a progressive type in The Doyen Chief at Taunton last February. Below par on return at Exeter but has performed with credit both starts since, latterly finding just one too good over this C&D, and a bold show is on the cards.

Form: P10-423

Pimlico Point^t,p⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 120

7/1

Back on song when second in an 8-runner Worcester handicap (23f, good to soft) last summer and by no means disgraced back from 5 months off at Ffos Las in October. Capable of playing a major role off this workabke mark.

Form: U/25P-25

My Silver Lining¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120| CD

7/2

Last season's campaign was forgettable but has resumed in better heart this time round, finishing a solid second in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock on penultimate start. Seemingly amiss at Lingfield recently but this relatively quick turnaround would suggest that all is well. Couldn't rule out.

Form: P4-432P

Forecasts

Collectors Item (9/4), Jupiter Allen (5/2), Take Your Time (5/1), My Silver Lining (6/1), Largy Poet (13/2), Pimlico Point (10/1)

COLLECTORS ITEM was out with the washing in the Welsh National but he put in a good shift when runner-up in the trial for that race on his seasonal reappearance and his sole previous visit here resulted in a decisive C&D success last January. He gets the nod, with Jupiter Allen next on the list ahead of My Silver Lining.