Book Your Raceday Hospitality Now Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

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

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132| C| D

Winning hurdler who ran up to best over fences tried in cheekpieces when third of 5 on return at Windsor last month, evidently not lacking for fitness. The fourth that day won next time and he looks to have a decent chance in this provided he's over those exertions.

Form: 6/3F4P-3

Westerninthepark³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

5/1

Bumper/dual-hurdles winner who made a successful start in this sphere at Stratford last season. Largely creditable efforts in defeat thereafter but was toiling from some way out having been sent off one of the market leaders at Windsor last month. Worth another chance.

Form: 320-47P

Ayiko^t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 126| D

11/2

Fairly useful winning 3m Irish hurdler who showed aptitude for chasing in a race that was surely too much of a speed test when runner-up of 4 in a beginners chase at Haydock (19.9f) a couple of months ago. Entitled to progress in this sphere now back up in distance.

Form: 3/213U-2

Sound And Fury^p⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| C| D

6/1

Lightly-raced winning pointer/hurdler who looked rather fortunate to win 2 of his 5 starts over fences last season. Resumed progress to make a winning return here (3¼m, good to soft) in November, but found things tougher on both subsequent starts, latest at Market Rasen on Boxing Day.

Form: 517-168

Hudson De Grugy^v²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 120| D

16/1

Fairly useful chaser for Gary & Josh Moore who left his opening pair of exploits for new yard well behind in a refitted visor when winning at Wetherby in December, holding on gamely. Found the trip beyond him at Windsor since and this should be more suitable.

Form: P3-6910

President Scottie¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 114| D

11/2

Has become disappointing, latest when sixth of 13 back over hurdles at Ayr (15/2) 18 days ago, beaten when untidy 2 out. Cheekpieces removed for this return to chasing and his mark continues to tumble.

Form: 33P-486

Upfordebate^t,p⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 109| D

5/2

Has thrived since going chasing, improved further in first-time cheekpieces to register a fourth win of the campaign in 8-runner handicap at Sedgefield 10 weeks ago, looking better the further he went. Up another 9 lb but remains of interest back up in grade.

Form: 511P11

Forecasts

Upfordebate (15/8), Saint Davy (3/1), Ayiko (4/1), Westerninthepark (6/1), President Scottie (8/1), Sound And Fury (14/1), Hudson De Grugy (25/1)

Cases can be made for a few of these but the vote goes to UPFORDEBATE, who made it 4 wins from his last 5 starts at Sedgefield recently and Patrick Neville's 7-y-o is fancied to defy another chunky rise in the weights. His main threat may emerge from Saint Davy, who ran up to his best on return at Windsor recently and could well step up on that here. Ayiko showed aptitude for chasing when runner-up at Haydock and completes the shortlist.