Damian Toshi McDougall Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 110| D

Got off the mark in Haydock handicap chase in December 2024 and arrives here in good form, backing up a solid fourth at Newcastle with a fine second at Ayr (24.1f, soft) 6 weeks ago. Back up in trip. Visor on 1st time. Yard form still a concern, though.

Form: 135-442

Big Zouk³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 102

9/4

Some promise over hurdles but is every inch a chaser on looks (winning Irish pointer earlier in career) and made a successful chasing debut at Ayr (11/8) a month ago, staying on to lead after the last having jumped soundly. Up 6 lb but seems sure to improve and this longer trip will suit. Big shout.

Form: 1/4P-531

Slaney Opera^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 100| C| D

13/8

Won a hunter chase at this course last spring and showed much improved form on second start for this yard when successful in 11-runner handicap chase at Sedgefield (7/1) 19 days ago, picking up well to lead at the last. Unexposed and will remain of plenty of interest nudged up just 2 lb.

Form: 111-381

Poetry Man^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 98

11/1

Won handicap chase at Catterick in December 2024 and has run twice over hurdles this season, shaping as if needing the run at Catterick (6/1) a fortnight ago after 10 weeks off. Back chasing and worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

Form: U/U1U-45

Nights In Venice^t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D W Whillans| OR: 88

11/2

Shaped as if still in good form when fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Sedgefield (6/1) 19 days ago, though the trip appeared to stretch him. Others more appealing kept to this distance.

Form: 33-8734

Don Brocco^t,b⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 83WS

22/1

Has struggled since winning at Carlisle a year ago, possibly still needing the run when well-beaten eighth of 12 in handicap chase at same course (12/1) in November. Marginally out of the weights and this is his first start since another wind operation.

Form: P1P3-P8

Halfway House Lad^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 76

12/1

Back-to-back wins last spring and seemingly still paying for those successes, latest when fifth of 14 in handicap chase at Catterick (16/1) 7 weeks ago. 8 lb out of the weights here and others are more persuasive.

Form: 2P4355

Non-Runners

Wearelongterm⁴³

Weight: 10-4| Age: 9

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Peter Kavanagh

Forecasts

Big Zouk (2/1), Slaney Opera (10/3), Wal Buck's (9/2), Poetry Man (13/2), Wearelongterm (8/1), Nights In Venice (12/1), Don Brocco (20/1), Halfway House Lad (20/1)

Preference is for BIG ZOUK, who made a winning chasing debut at Ayr last month and with further progress on the cards, Nicky Richards' unexposed 7-y-o is fancied to remain unbeaten in this sphere with this extra distance holding no fears. Slaney Opera heads up the opposition having doubled his tally at Sedgefield, whilst Wal Buck's also arrives in good order and can edge out Poetry Man for third.