Paxtons No1 CaseIH Dealer Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:18 | Winning time: 5m 44.50s

Halpha Soleil^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100| C

4/1

Bumper/hurdles winner but yet to score in 12 starts over fences and, while he ran better than for a while (on the back of a breathing operation) when third at Doncaster on latest start, he arguably should have won having been presented with a golden opportunity when the favourite exited 4 out.

Form: 285753

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Too Cool Forshrule¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 96| BF| D

3/1

Resumed winning ways at Ayr (20.5f) in November and returned to a similar level when third at Newcastle 3 starts later. Strong in the betting when unseating his rider in soft fashion at the first here on most recent outing. Interesting to see if the money comes for him again.

Form: U1653U

Mersey Street^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 90| C

13/8

Took a step forward to get off the mark over fences here (19.3f) earlier in the month, making all under an aggressive ride. Step back up in trip shouldn’t be a problem and has sound claims of following up from a 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 4352F1

Cave Hill^p,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 78

9/2

Ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces when third of 7 in a C&D handicap in December but was too free in a change of headgear (first-time visor) at Carlisle on latest start, finishing tired.

Form: 165369

Rock N Roll Champ^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 74

8/1

Has been running respectably over hurdles but, though bred to make a better chaser, was let down by his jumping when pulled up at Hexham on most recent outing over fences last summer.

Form: 4P8543

Non-Runners

Uncle Al²⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: J Bedi J: Conor Rabbitt

Forecasts

Mersey Street (13/8), Too Cool Forshrule (3/1), Halpha Soleil (4/1), Cave Hill (9/2), Rock N Roll Champ (8/1), Uncle Al (14/1)

MERSEY STREET arguably did well under the circumstances when getting off the mark over fences here on his most recent outing, responding well to see of a late challenger having got racing with the third a long way out. He remains unexposed and can follow up. Too Cool Forshrule was strong in the betting when unseating at the first in the aforementioned race and is second choice with his previous form working out. Cave Hill may fare best of the rest.