Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 122| C

Bumper/dual 2m hurdler winner who made an encouraging start over fences at Aintree in October and got back on track, in first-time cheekpieces, when creditable third of 9 in handicap chase (6/1) at Wetherby (19.4f, soft) 41 days ago. Respected.

Form: 206-353

Busty Boy^p1⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: D Bourke| OR: 118

9/1

Winless since scoring at Kelso back in October 2023 but he has rarely finished out of the frame since. Near best form when third of 10 in handicap chase at Ayr (24.1f, soft, 6/1) in November and looks worth a try in cheekpieces.

Form: 6222-23

William Of York^t,p⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 110| C| D

8/1

Completed a hat-trick at Carlisle in April 2024 but raced only 4 times since, pulling up on first 3 occasions. Better signs at Wetherby latest, however, and he is 8 lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 11/P-PP6

Another Fine Mess^h⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: J Scott| OR: 108

15/8

Found improvement when winning 13-runner handicap hurdle at Chepstow (16.1f, good to firm) 40 days ago. Interesting that connections have decided to go chasing now and he remains fairly treated. Can go well if stamina holds out.

Form: 6/4F1-51

Cuban Court^t,p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 102| C

13/2

Three-time winner over hurdles last season who got off the mark at the first time of asking in this sphere when scoring at this course (16.4f) in December. Not in same form at Taunton since but can't be ruled out.

Form: 11-4616

Empty Nest^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 95

3/1

Won 2 chases over this sort of trip last season and returned to form when good second of 9 in handicap chase (6/1) at Newcastle (20.1f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 316-752

Non-Runners

The Winslow Boy²⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: T Symonds J: Benjamin Poste

Clonakilty¹²

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: Lizzie Quinlan J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Gentleman Bill (3/1), Busty Boy (7/2), Another Fine Mess (4/1), Empty Nest (4/1), Cuban Court (7/1), The Winslow Boy (12/1), William Of York (16/1), Clonakilty (33/1)

ANOTHER FINE MESS has few miles on the clock and produced a career best when scoring over hurdles at Chepstow in December. Upped in trip he may have more to offer yet and is taken to make a successful debut over the larger obstacles here. Empty Nest and Busty Boy could be the dangers.