Better Odds With Matchbook Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 21.7s

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Selected odds by:

Masters Hill^p²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

11/2

Finished runner-up in a veterans chase at Exeter over 3m on soft ground when last seen in action a month ago. Had finished runner-up over hurdles the time before that and off the same mark as for his Exeter third he looks likely to run well once more.

Form:

Fourth Act^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134

11/2

Winner off an 8lb lower mark at Wincanton 13 months ago and been contesting better races than this on his last three chase outings including when fourth in two Grade 3 contests early in the season. Reverted to hurdles when sixth behind an in-form rival last time out and one for the short list.

Form:

Willoughby Hedge^v²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 132

4/1

Wore a first time visor when successful over C&D last time out. Has been put up 8lb by the handicapper for that success and every chance of further success if the visor works for a second time here.

Form:

Umberto D'olivate¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 129

12/1

Under pressure from an early stage prior to unseating at Warwick over this trip last time out. Prior to that had made all to comfortably see off 11 rivals at Exeter on soft ground. That success was off a 13lb higher mark and will need to put that poor effort last time out behind him to figure here.

Form:

Upswing^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129

4/1

Put some disappointing efforts this season behind him when finishing third in first time cheekpieces at Kempton last month. Rated just 1lb higher than for his latest success and placed off higher marks in the past. Represents a yard with a 20% strike rate (4/20) in recent weeks.

Form:

Morney Wing^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister⁽³⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 127

10/1

Winner at Plumpton in January but pulled up the last twice including in the Eider at Newcastle a fortnight. Takes a drop in grade and trip here and interesting if able to put those recent exertions behind him.

Form:

Shanroe Santos^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 126

10/3

Winner at Warwick off a 4lb lower mark when last seen in action last month. Had previously finished runner-up in first time cheekpieces at Huntingdon and seeking his fourth win in ten starts since joining his current yard.

Form:

Non-Runners

Pete The Feat²²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 13

T: C E Longsdon J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Shanroe Santos (10/3), Upswing (4/1), Willoughby Hedge (4/1), Masters Hill (11/2), Fourth Act (11/2), Pete The Feat (8/1), Morney Wing (10/1), Umberto D'olivate (12/1)

UPSWING returned to form when finishing third in first time cheekpieces at Kempton last month. The selection has been dropped 3lb for that run and after a couple of disappointing early season efforts in competitive races, he is starting to look well handicapped given he has placed off a 7lb higher mark in the past. Of the other contenders Shanroe Santos carries bottom weight here and the addition of cheekpieces recently has brought about improved performances and he is likely to give the selection most to do while Willoughby Hedge is another to respect assuming the visor works for a second time here.