Pegasus Handicap Chase

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 54y | 6 Runners | Turf

Mary^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100| C| D

Looked set to go close again when taking another late fall in a novice handicap chase at Bangor in May. Has shaped as if still in good form on all 3 subsequent outings, doing too much too soon back down in trip at Sedgefield (2m, good) just over 6 weeks ago. Now 2 lb below last winning mark.

Form: 5-2F333

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Alba Crus¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: W Greatrex| OR: 98WS

3/1

Fair bumper winner who failed to kick on over hurdles. Back on track tried tongue tied for his chasing debut before unseating 2 out at Worcester in May (keeping on in a share of second) so he's one to look out for on reappearance (has had a breathing operation).

Form: 1734-9U

Midnight View¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 87| C

7/2

Winner over hurdles here (19f) in the spring though showed precious little on both outings over the larger obstacles last month. Handicapper drops him another 3 lb but significant leap of faith required.

Form: 91-3547

Tropical Talent^b1,t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 79

3/1

On long losing run but signalled he is ready to go in again when second of 8 at Sedgefield (2m, good) in early-September, collared only late on having made an error at the last. Similar form when third at Uttoxeter next time and faced a stiff task on the Flat since. First-time blinkers go on.

Form: 32/52-23

Boom Boom^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: R T Dunne| T: B R Summers| OR: 79

18/1

Lost his form after back-to-back wins at Stratford last summer but took a step back in the right direction when second at Worcester in early-September. However, he was tailed off back there later in the month and now the cheekpieces go back on.

Form: P-PP328

River Don^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: Harry Ryall| OR: 75

10/1

Winning pointer at the seventh attempt. Showed precious little in maiden/novice hurdles (including on last month's return) so will need this switch to chasing/a handicap to prove transformative.

Form: 5P1-444

Forecasts

Mary (13/8), Alba Crus (5/2), Tropical Talent (4/1), Midnight View (8/1), River Don (10/1), Boom Boom (16/1)

TROPICAL TALENT hasn't won for ages but recent performances in this sphere suggest that could be about to change. Sporting first-time blinkers, he gets the vote over Alba Crus, who was in the process of running well on his chasing debut back in the spring and returns having had a breathing operation. Top-weight Mary rounds off the shortlist.