Farmers Fresh Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 7m 8.84s

Ivane^v¹⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: James Owen| OR: 119| BF

5/2

Yet another good advert for James Owen, landing the Durham National back in this sphere at Sedgefield (29.2f) in October, Creditable efforts on 3 of his 4 subsequent runs over fences prior to failing to justify support back over hurdles at aforementioned track on latest start. Given a break since.

Form: 124264-

Imperial Alex^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 119

9/4

Bounced back to his best back down in grade when beaten only by a fellow weight plunger in 9-runner handicap chase (9/2) at Ffos Las (3m, good) 25 days ago, conceding first run. Nudged back up 4 lb but still looks ahead of his mark.

Form: 21075-2

Yes Day^b1⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

5/1

Looked one with problems towards the end of last season and first-time blinkers need to spark a revival.

Form: 63068P-

Ballynaheer^p,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁵⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 107

10/1

Quickly resumed winning ways at Market Rasen (3m) in April but that was a decidedly weak affair and he turned in another poor effort at Ffos Las since. Bounce back required.

Form: 211415-

Esperti²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 107

11/4

Thriving this autumn, winning back-to-back handicaps at up to 29f prior to fine second up in grade at Fakenham latest. Likely to give another good account.

Form: P5211-2

Forecasts

Imperial Alex (9/4), Ivane (5/2), Esperti (11/4), Yes Day (5/1), Ballynaheer (10/1)

IMPERIAL ALEX was denied only by a fellow well-treated rival who got first run on him at Ffos Las on his most recent outing and still looks ahead of the assessor despite being nudged back up 4 lb in the weights. Esperti arrives in excellent heart and is the clear second choice.