CopyBet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 110y | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

A dual winner for Sophie Leech in 2023/24. Lightly campaigned subsequently but shaped well in Paddy Power/December Gold Cup in 2024 and given a considerate return from 13 months off when fifth of 6 at Wetherby (2m) at Christmas. Needs considering with that run under his belt.

Form: 19/842-5

Arclight³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136| C| D

7/2

Course winner but isn't the easiest to catch right and came in last of 8 in handicap hurdle at Newbury (16.3f, good) 35 days ago. Reverts to chasing with lots more needed.

Form: 421428

Issam^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: T Symonds| OR: 136| D

10/3

Resumed with victory at Wetherby (19f) in November and progressed again when third at Ascot (19f) following month. Not at his best upped to 3m when sixth back at Ascot last time but a likely player now back in trip.

Form: 312-136

Petit Tonnerre^p⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

15/2

Landed listed handicap at the Punchestown Festival last spring. On the downside, he's not the easiest to catch right and was beaten a long way on his return at Ascot in November.

Form: 61B91-9

Scarface^b¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 135| D

11/2

Inconsistent sort who followed a good Ascot second in December by being pulled up there 16 days ago, labouring some way out. Lots more needed in a change of headgear.

Form: 21-2P2P

Rightsotom^t,p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127

6/1

Fairly useful 19f hurdles winner. Yet to score in this sphere but running creditably when fell last in handicap chase at Newbury (22.4f, good) 35 days ago. One to consider off an easing mark.

Form: 03-934F

Yes Indeed¹¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: M Keighley| OR: 125WS

11/1

Won pair of handicap chases around 2m on joining Martin Keighley last spring but pulled up on hat-trick bid at Newton Abbot and could only manage a remote third at Chepstow 5 months later. Bit to prove back from another 113 days off (had wind surgery).

Form: 4P11-P3

Forecasts

Madara (2/1), Arclight (10/3), Rightsotom (11/2), Issam (7/1), Scarface (8/1), Petit Tonnerre (8/1), Yes Indeed (12/1)

Not the easiest race to assess and it could be worth siding with ISSAM to resume winning ways now he drops back to his optimum trip off a handy-looking mark. Madara should strip sharper for his reappearance Wetherby fifth after an absence and rates the main danger ahead of Rightsotom.