BK Racing Hexham Marathon Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 115| C

Point scorer who made a winning return at Ayr (3m) in November. Followed it with a good third in Borders National at Kelso but well below par both runs since at Windsor and Bangor. Could bounce back with yard going really well. Usual headgear left off.

Form: 51-130P

Breeze Of Wind^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 111| CD

Excellent second in Borders National at Kelso in December but pulled up in similar event at Bangor 15 days ago. Took this prize in 2024 and no surprise to see a revival.

Form: 514-52P

President Scottie²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 110

Has become disappointing, again well held in 3m handicap chase at Carlisle 24 days ago. Needs a big step forward despite his tumbling mark.

Form: 3P-4866

Planned Paradise¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 107

Capitalised on a reduced mark in 11-runner handicap chase at Bangor (29.6f, soft) 15 days ago, drawing clear from last. Back up 9 lb but still handily weighted and the one to beat in his current mood.

Form: 054361

Shighness^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103

Out of form over fences but showed better signs on a rare start back hurdling when third of 7 in handicap at Sedgefield (27f, soft) 21 days ago. Needs to back it up now reverted to fences.

Form: 2P-5663

Rob Roy Macgregor^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 83

It's now 16 runs since his last win in 2023 but he comes here in good form, second of 6 in 3m handicap chase at Ayr 17 days ago. Should stay this markedly longer trip.

Form: 487242

Don Brocco^t²⁷

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

Scored over 3m at Carlisle last February and posted a good third in this 12 months ago. Has struggled this season though, undergoing breathing surgery before pulled up in handicap chase at Kelso 27 days ago. Hard to fancy from out of the weights.

Form: 1P3-P8P

Forecasts

Planned Paradise (10/11), President Scottie (4/1), Rob Roy Macgregor (6/1), De Legislator (8/1), Breeze Of Wind (14/1), Shighness (14/1), Don Brocco (33/1)

PLANNED PARADISE hasn't always been the easiest to catch right but he looked in fine fettle off a reduced mark when scoring emphatically at Bangor recently and can make light of a 9 lb rise. De Legislator could emerge as the main threat for a red-hot yard, with 2024 victor Breeze of Wind also in the picture if shrugging off a lesser effort behind the selection at Bangor.