Taylor Wimpey Strategic Land Midlands Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 21:00 | Winning time: 4m 51.87s

Therhythmofthenite^t¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: M Gates| OR: 110

25/1

Encouraging start with fourth in Punchestown maiden hurdle in November but hooded when a remote third in another maiden hurdle there (23f) in February on his final run for Martin Brassil. Since changed hands for £21,000 and goes chasing now for his new yard.

Form: 483-

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Theonlywayiswessex³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 107| D

9/4

Dual chase winner in 2024. Lightly raced since but shaped encouragingly after 9 months off when a clear second of 8 in handicap chase over C&D 30 days ago. Big player off an unchanged mark.

Form: 17/234-2

Zestful Hope^p¹⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 105| D

4/1

Gained a second chasing victory at Huntingdon in October. Off since a well-held third of 5 in handicap chase at Hereford (19f) in February so needs to hit the ground running.

Form: 159563-

Royal Deeside¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: P Morris| OR: 93| D

5/4

Scored twice at Hexham last summer and placed all 5 starts in this sphere since returning from a break in March, runner-up in handicap chase at Kelso (2¾m) 10 days ago. Ought to go well again.

Form: P333-32

Bahtiyar^p⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: M Young| OR: 80

5/1

Going through a relatively good spell over fences but remains a maiden after 36 runs and 4 lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 332-442

Forecasts

Royal Deeside (5/4), Theonlywayiswessex (9/4), Zestful Hope (4/1), Bahtiyar (5/1), Therhythmofthenite (25/1)

THEONLYWAYISWESSEX shaped well after a 9-month absence when runner-up over C&D last month and can go one better off an unchanged mark. The reliable Royal Deeside appeals as the one to chase home Alan King's 8-y-o.