Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 32.76s

Gentleman Bill^p⁴¹

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

5/2

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

18/5

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

7/1

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

5/2

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

Empty Nest^t²¹

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

7/2

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

Cuban Court¹⁹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 8

T: N B King J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Another Fine Mess (5/2), Gentleman Bill (5/2), Empty Nest (7/2), Busty Boy (18/5), William Of York (7/1), Cuban Court (7/1), The Winslow Boy (12/1), 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.