Tynedale Function Suite Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 5m 11.64s

Buddah Castle⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 112| D

14/1

Point winner who made a successful hurdle debut over 2½m at Sedgefield (despite his quirks) in December. Hasn't progressed in a couple of starts since and now attentions are turned to the larger obstacles and a 3-month break.

Form: 31/14P-

Moodofthemoment^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 107| D

18/1

Hard to catch right and was again below form despite having a recent run under his belt when fourth of 5 at Kelso (2¾m, good) 4 weeks ago. Handicapper drops him another couple.

Form: 4P1P-64

Laffer Curve¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 101

9/4

Lightly-raced 5-y-o who showed promise over hurdles. Had a breathing operation and would have pushed the winner much closer but for getting 4 out all wrong on chasing debut at Worcester (2½m, good to soft) just over 2 weeks ago (jumped fine otherwise). Can build on that here.

Form: 54334-2

Passengerontheship^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 98| CD

8/11

Arrives here at the top of his game, completing a quick-fire course hat-trick in ultimately decisive fashion in 7-runner event here (3m, good) last week. Now 16 lb higher than for first of those wins and another bold bid anticipated for the 4-timer returned to 2½m.

Form: 86-P111

West Lawn¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: J Walton| OR: 82| C

10/1

Finally off the mark over fences here last month and ran well on form from well out of the weights when fourth of 9 at this course (3m, good to soft) earlier this month, albeit making hard work of things. Just 2 lb out of the handicap this time but drop back in trip unlikely to suit.

Form: 32P-614

Non-Runners

Ostend²

Weight: 12-2| Age: 8

T: M Bowen J: Shane Fenelon

Forecasts

Passengerontheship (8/11), Laffer Curve (9/4), Ostend (3/1), West Lawn (10/1), Buddah Castle (14/1), Moodofthemoment (18/1)

Cases can be made for most, but LAFFER CURVE would have gone close to making a successful chasing debut but for a mistake 4 out at Worcester recently. With further improvement on the cards, Dan Skelton's 5-y-o can open her account. Passengerontheship arrives in search of a course 4-timer so he's an obvious danger, while stable-switcher Ostend would add another layer of intrigue should he take his chance (declared at Market Rasen on Friday).