Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 4m 57.32s

William Cody⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 118| CD

10/3

Three-time C&D winner who arrives here in good form, albeit adding another frustrating short-odds in-running defeat to his record when second at Wetherby (19.4f) in March, travelling best but collared close home. Cheekpieces discarded now but he often flatters to deceive.

Form: 4/32322-

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Hurricane Bay^p,t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 117| C

13/2

Dual hurdles winner who improved over fences when bagging 2 handicaps in the first half of last year. Second in small field at Doncaster in November on the back of a breathing operation but has gone the wrong way since, not for the first time finishing weakly at Market Rasen last time.

Form: 25PP55-

Pep Talking^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 114| C| D

5/4

Built up a very healthy strike rate over fences, putting in an assured round of jumping when adding to his tally at Chepstow (2m) 4 weeks ago. Easy to envisage this likeable type playing a lead role again from 7 lb higher mark back up in trip.

Form: 221P21-

Koapey²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 113

8/1

Maiden winner over hurdles and bettered that form when second at Uttoxeter on handicap/chase debut in October. However, he's failed to complete on all 3 runs since, (looked set for remote second at best) when falling 2 out in race won by Pep Talking at Chepstow latest. Steps up in trip now.

Form: 21/2PPF-

Big Boy Barney^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 108| CD

5/1

Point winner who opened his Rules account on second chase start over C&D in March. Similar form from revised mark when third at Southwell (20.5f) 5 weeks ago, though again showing a suspect attitude under pressure. Others preferred for win purposes.

Form: 353613-

Non-Runners

Ice In The Veins³³

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Pep Talking (5/4), William Cody (10/3), Ice In The Veins (10/3), Big Boy Barney (5/1), Hurricane Bay (13/2), Koapey (8/1)

PEP TALKING enhanced his already healthy strike rate over fences at Chepstow 4 weeks ago, his sound jumping proving too much for his rivals. He looks sure to give another good account and may prove too strong for capable but frustrating top weight William Cody. Market confidence behind chase debutant Ice In The Veins would certainly put a different slant on things, however.