South West Rail Solutions Ltd Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 16y | 5 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| D

Much improved on the back of a breathing operation, completing a 2m handicap chase hat-trick around the turn of the year. Looked set to go close to another win until blundering the last at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and he races off the same mark today.

Form: 511132

Diligent Militia^p1,t1¹²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 108

Promise on 2m course hurdle debut on good to firm in October. Well beaten in the mud at Ffos Las and Doncaster since but no surprise were this good-ground Irish point winner to fare a lot better now switching to fences for his handicap debut. Also equipped with a first-time headgear combination.

Form: 1-5P4

Touquet^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 108| D

Improved model with tongue tie added, landing back-to-back 2m Huntingdon handicaps around the turn of the year. Made mistakes but still ran to form when 10 lengths second of 4 at Wincanton since.

Form: 243112

Brulure Noire¹⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 106| C| D

Won a 19.5f course handicap in April 2024. Also a good second at Ffos Las last April but pulled up on Wincanton reappearance in December and not seen since.

Form: 41/352-P

Le Gentleman^t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Todd| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 104

Second on chase debut in France in September. Down the field in Ludlow novice hurdle for new yard 6 weeks ago but worth a second look in the betting now returning to fences for his first start in a handicap.

Form: PU-29

Forecasts

Supreme George (7/4), Touquet (2/1), Brulure Noire (6/1), Diligent Militia (6/1), Le Gentleman (13/2)

SUPREME GEORGE was still in dispute of the lead when making a hash of the final fence at Ludlow last time. That suggests his mark is still very workable and he's narrowly preferred to fellow multiple winner this season Touquet.