Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 6m 5.33s

American Mike^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 142| D

9/4

Smart Grade 2-winning chaser at his best for Gordon Elliott and, though yet to show the same level for current connections, his 1¾ lengths second to Kent de Thaix in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby last time was clearly a step back in the right direction. Obvious claims if on song.

Form: 497-392

Minella Drama^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-2| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 142

11/1

Although smart at his peak, he has become hard to predict of late. His second to the long odds-on Protektorat in a 4-runner listed race at Kelso in February was a solid effort in the context of this race, but poor effort at Haydock last time and may be best caught fresh.

Form: P-3P42P

Statuario¹³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 129| CD

11/2

All 6 chase wins have come in small fields at this track, most recently in September. Not at that level in 2 starts since but not disgraced in a cross-country event at Cheltenham when last seen in December and now back on his last winning mark.

Form: 2-10168

Della Casa Lunga^t,p⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 127| D

15/2

Although she has yet to cut much ice in 2 runs over fences, she was a useful and successful 3m hurdler and now looks well treated on that form entering handicap company in this sphere. The return of cheekpieces, in which she has done most of her winning, is a positive.

Form: 7-73423

If Not For Dylan^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 117| CD

7/2

C&D winner who has won and been placed in the Highland National at this meeting in the last 2 seasons, and showed plenty of ability remains with a bold front-running success at Doncaster in February. Caught out by a rare jumping lapse last time but others preferred in this particular scenario.

Form: 3U4317

Mountain Mike²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 117| BF

7/2

A Ffos Las novice hurdle winner on heavy ground last season, he matched that level of form when 5 lengths second of 4 to Bective Abbey in a novice chase at Hereford in March. He fell early at Sedgefield last time, but remains unexposed and could easily have more to offer over fences.

Form: 221-32F

Ned Tanner^t,p²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111

14/1

Twice a winner last season but largely well below par this term and likely to find this too competitive. Races from 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 733P4P

Forecasts

American Mike (9/4), If Not For Dylan (7/2), Mountain Mike (7/2), Statuario (11/2), Della Casa Lunga (15/2), Minella Drama (11/1), Ned Tanner (14/1)

AMERICAN MIKE has not gone on as might have been expected after the promise he showed as a novice chaser, but the handicapper has given him a chance and he is taken to open his account for Olly Murphy. The unexposed Mountain Mike rates a major threat if able to step forward on just his fourth chase start, while course specialist Statuario can never be ruled out at this venue.