Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 2f | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr H D O'Dwyer⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121| BF

Off the mark at third attempt over fences at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 2024 and largely consistent in defeat since. On the downside, he wasn't able to capitalise on what looked a good opportunity at Leicester last time and record in this sphere stands at 1-10.

Form: 22-4243

Thelasthighking⁴⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 118

15/2

Successful over fences at Wincanton and Southwell during 2022/23 campaign. Absent since failing to fire both starts in the early part of last season but he has slipped to a potentially handy mark and is therefore dangerous to discount under good-value conditional.

Form: 256/946-

Jorebel⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 118| D

10/3

Completed a hat-trick over hurdles at Worcester in October and successful first 2 starts over fences late last year. Failed to land a meaningful blow back from a break over C&D 9 days ago but should be sharper now.

Form: 121154

Southoftheborder^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 114

5/2

Point/hurdles winner who was placed 4 times in this sphere during the winter. However, he doesn't always find much when push comes to shove, with neither a breathing operation nor a first-time tongue strap having any obvious positive effect when fifth of 8 at Newbury last time.

Form: 522335

My Friend Sean^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 112| D

9/2

Completed a hurdles hat-trick at Uttoxeter last May and produced his most convincing round of jumping to date when third in a 7-runner Chepstow handicap last month. 2 lb lower now and wouldn't be without hope here if able to build on that.

Form: 1-14663

Pep Talking^p¹²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 106

11/2

Enhanced good strike rate over fences at Wetherby in November, aided in no small part by a terrific round of jumping. Reported to have bled when pulled up at Wincanton later that month and, though absent since, he will be a danger to all if on-song.

Form: 11-221P

Forecasts

Denemethy (11/4), My Friend Sean (10/3), Pep Talking (4/1), Southoftheborder (5/1), Jorebel (6/1), Thelasthighking (7/1)

THELASTHIGHKING's well-being must be taken on trust following 16 months on the sidelines but this is a lower-grade handicap than he is accustomed to and his current mark is an attractive one. He teams up with a new jockey who is good value for his claim and is worth chancing. Jorebel might be the danger in a trappy affair.