Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 6m 32.89s

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Selected odds by:

Blakemount¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 136

7/2

Came back to form last time out here when returned to 3m2f with both his wins coming here. Possibly benefited from the easy fences at the track and a front-running and positive ride. Now up 7lb for that win, but has run well off a mark this high before and on his favourite course, clearly has a chance despite the shorter trip.

Form: 3351-25

Beg To Differ^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

6/4

Can look awkward over his fences and has had jumping problems in the past but showed his best form in December with a sound fourth in the Welsh Grand National behind Native River. Running well and likely to have finished placed when unseating his rider last time out at Sandown although his trip does put pressure on his jumping again, especially if the race is run at a good pace.

Form: 3321U-P

Cultram Abbey³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: R D Day⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 135

11/2

Has some useful form over fences despite only winning once in nine attempts but has twice finished runner-up here over fences. Ran well enough hurdles last time out at Haydock in what looked to be a pipe opener for this off a lower mark and if he runs to the level he did here in October he could go close here.

Form: PF-275F

Carrigdhoun^p,t³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Daragh Bourke⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 131

12/1

Has a good record here with three wins from seven starts and his last two wins came here last October off marks of 122 and 126. Came back to form at Catterick last time out when running well in the North Yorkshire National and should remain competitive in racers like this.

Form: 12P516-

Top Wood^b,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 131

11/2

Can be rather in and out over fences although he did run one of his better races at Plumpton last time over 3m4f. Still not the best of jumpers but is off his lowest mark for three years here.

Form: 7F-05U7

Sun Cloud¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 128

10/1

Has a decent record over fences (4/20) and usually travels well in his races under a hold-up ride. Not shaped with much zip of late in two stamina tests and was pulled-up last time out at Musselburgh when returning after a break that failed to refresh.

Form: 5P32P1-

Forecasts

Beg To Differ (6/4), Blakemount (7/2), Top Wood (11/2), Cultram Abbey (11/2), Sun Cloud (10/1), Carrigdhoun (12/1)

A tricky little contest even though just six go to post and the vote goes the way of BLAKEMOUNT on his favourite course even after the rise for his latest win. He’s sure to be given a prominent tactical ride here and could force a few errors from the others even over these easy fences. Beg To Differ should be respected but he can make mistakes and this trip may be a little sharp for him. Cultram Abbey has the look of one who may well have been prepared for this after his hurdles run at Haydock last time out and Carrigdhoun is another who should be taken seriously here. 1. Blakemount 2. Cultram Abbey 3. Carrigdhoun