Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 6m 12.02s

Arizona Cardinal^p1,t⁶⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 132| C| D

8/1

Completed a superb hat-trick in 24-runner Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree in 2024. Some way below that level of form in 3 starts in 2024/25 and off 21 months. On the plus side, his stable is in excellent order and the assessor has given him every chance. Cheekpieces applied and market can guide.

Form: 111P80/

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

First Confession²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Dylan Johnston| T: J Tizzard| OR: 131| D

7/4

Point/hurdles winner who advanced his form over fences last season, getting off the mark at the fifth attempt in 21f maiden at Carlisle. Failed to see out marathon trip at Cheltenham Festival but remains one to be very positive about around 3m. Reappears for in-form yard.

Form: 335F10-

Jupiter Allen^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Chester Williams| OR: 124| D

9/2

Jumped soundly to beat some exposed rivals in a 6-runner handicap at Wincanton (25.1f, heavy) in January. Made mistakes when pulled up in Midlands National subsequently but a recent spin over hurdles should have put him spot on for this return to larger obstacles with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 4231P-0

Blenkinsop³²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: C Gethings| T: H D Daly| OR: 124| D

4/1

A 4-time handicap scorer over hurdles in 2022/23. Very lightly raced since but encouraging he confirmed the promise of his reappearance fifth on chasing bow when scoring at Exeter over 3m a year ago. Better than result at Aintree soon after but off the track again since.

Form: 030/516-

Broomfields Cave^p²⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 123| D

3/1

All 5 career wins gained in small-field contests, latest of them when better than ever over 25f at Wincanton in April. Sound-enough third from 4 lb higher 3 weeks later and he's capable fresh. Yard also in good nick.

Form: 1/31P13-

Forecasts

First Confession (7/4), Broomfields Cave (3/1), Blenkinsop (4/1), Jupiter Allen (9/2), Arizona Cardinal (8/1)

FIRST CONFESSION found 3¾m too much of a test at Cheltenham when last seen in March but back over a more suitable trip in a lesser handicap, he could get on the up returning for his in-form stable. Broomfields Cave and Arizona Cardinal also reappear, the latter from a huge lay-off but both are interesting.