QuinnBet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 189y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

Placed for the third time when third of 4 in handicap chase at Newcastle (2m, heavy) 95 days ago but he's yet to fully convince as a chaser. Tongue strap and cheekpieces go on for 1st time.

Form: 58/3533-

Tune In A Box^p⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 117| D

Signalled he is ready to go in over fences when a promising second of 8 in handicap chase at Sandown (3m, soft) 56 days ago, conceding first run to the winner. Major shout off an unchanged mark.

Form: 255732-

Ukantango^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 116

First run over fences in almost 2 years when bagging 6-runner handicap chase at Southwell (2½m, good to soft) 31 days ago. Up 7 lb but scored comfortably there so not taken lightly.

Form: 244191-

Nickelforce²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Charlie Case⁽⁷⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 116| D

Gained a deserved success at Wincanton in November. Off 5 months and shaped as if in need of the run when fourth of 6 at Newton Abbot (21f) four weeks ago. Can take a step forward.

Form: 432214-

Doyouknowwhatimean^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 115

Unreliable sort who was pulled up in handicap chase at Bangor (2½m) 14 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on.

Form: P2PP4P-

Grand Clermont^t1³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 114

French import who ended his time there with a pair of claiming chase wins, latest at Bordeaux (19f) in March. Fairly useful and this veteran is much respected for his new yard.

Form: 23P171-

Ski Lodge^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 114| BF

Still to score over fences but cheekpieces on when a solid fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Haydock (3¼m, good) 28 days ago.

Form: 222F44-

Start Again^t¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Hogan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110

Progressive hurdler who scored at Exeter in October before a very good third of 5 at Ascot (2m) following month. Goes chasing after a six-month absence here.

Form: 72/3713-

Jet Smart²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: D Summersby| OR: 109| C

Course winner last July but lightly raced and below par since, fourth of 5 in handicap chase here (3m) 6 months ago. Scored twice in points last month though so not out of things.

Form: 554311-

Forecasts

Ukantango (9/4), Grand Clermont (4/1), Tune In A Box (4/1), Pony Soprano (8/1), Start Again (10/1), Ski Lodge (10/1), Nickelforce (14/1), Jet Smart (16/1), Doyouknowwhatimean (16/1)

TUNE IN A BOX shaped really well when runner-up at Sandown last time and this fairly useful winning hurdler gets a confident vote to gain a breakthrough success over fences off the same mark here. Ukantango is next on the list on the back of a stylish Southwell victory with Nickelforce and Jet Smart appealing as the pick of the remainder.