Clarke Chase (Handicap Chase) (For The Sir Stanley And Lady Clarke Challenge Trophy) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 5m 7.38s

American Mike^p1,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 145| D

3/1

Smart Grade 2-winning chaser for Gordon Elliott who posted his best effort for new connections when taking (dead-heated) 7-runner handicap chase at Perth (3m, good) 31 days ago. Just 3 lb higher now and must be of interest. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 97/3921-

Riskintheground^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| CD

5/6

C&D winner who took advantage of a drop in the weights when taking 11-runner handicap chase at Haydock (2½m, good) 39 days ago. Remains fairly treated and looks sure to go well again.

Form: 604901-

Gunsight Ridge^t⁷⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 136

25/1

Smart chaser at his best but disappointed in a light 2025-26 campaign for Olly Murphy. Starts off for new yard on a decent mark, however, and is worth a second look in the market.

Form: 14/4476-

Glengouly^p,t⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Jones| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 128| D

11/1

Sprung a 33/1 surprise in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham but has failed to complete in all 4 starts since and makes limited appeal.

Form: 41PPPP-

Vintage Fizz^p¹⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 121| D

9/2

On a long losing run and ran poorly when last seen at Doncaster in November. Been cut plenty of slack by the handicapper but is hard to recommend with confidence,

Form: 2657PP-

A Dublin Job³⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 111| D

40/1

Maiden hurdler but made it 3-3 over fences for Harry Derham when landing a Warwick handicap (20f) 12 months ago. Ran poorly when last seen at Market Rasen in July, though, and looks up against on return for new yard here. 8 lb out of the weights.

Form: 811/12P-

Non-Runners

Ukantango²

Weight: 10-2| Age: 9

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Riskintheground (5/6), American Mike (3/1), Vintage Fizz (9/2), Glengouly (11/1), Ukantango (12/1), Gunsight Ridge (25/1), A Dublin Job (40/1)

AMERICAN MIKE opened his account for Olly Murphy at Perth last month and hasn't been harshly treated by the handicapper for that success. He can score again. Riskintheground has a good record this time of year and looks the obvious danger.