NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 4m 4.63s

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Selected odds by:

Simply Ned¹⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 154| CD

10/3

Won this race twice and was a very close second of five in last year's renewal. Held when last seen out but dropped 3lb since, so burden at the weights could have been worse. Dangerous to rule out as he will no doubt be primed and ready.

Form: P/22397-

Forest Bihan¹⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 154| D

9/2

Solid form in Graded races last season and this looks much easier than some of his previous tasks. Has to concede weight to all bar Simply Ned, so no easy task on these terms but has the class to go very close at least.

Form: 121152-

Just Cameron^t²²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 149| BF| D

20/1

Won a handicap off 123 at Wetherby in January but made no impression when upped in grade at Naas shortly afterwards. May have more to offer but has chinks in the armour and may also be better once he has the benefit of a seasonal run behind him.

Form: 33/6314-

Double W's¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 144

4/1

Won a Grade 3 over 2m at Aintree last season and has to merit plenty of respect on that effort alone. Possible the subsequent run at Ayr came about too quickly and that run best forgotten. Big chance if primed for this reappearance.

Form: 17291P-

Wisty⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 143| C| D

9/2

Useful at best over hurdles but taken to fences well with three wins at Cartmel. This is much more of an acid test of his credentials though and he'll need to find a good bit more if those above him on the racecard run true to form.

Form: 306-111

Theflyingportrait^t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 140| CD

11/1

Gamely made all to win this last season and backed it up with a win at Aintree shortly afterwards. 11llb worse off with Simply Ned this time around and will take a very good effort from him to make all in this stiffer company than last year.

Form: 11-5145

Rock On Rocky^p,t¹⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 128| D

22/1

Made good progress with three wins in 2017 but now needs to up his game considerable once more and career best required.

Form: 25111P-

Alamein⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: R Hobson| OR: 127| D

11/2

Lost his way for his former yard after winning a beginners chase at Fairyhouse in February. very disappointing the last twice and now has plenty to prove on his debut for a new yard.

Form: 43-76PF

Forecasts

Simply Ned (10/3), Double W's (4/1), Forest Bihan (9/2), Wisty (9/2), Alamein (11/2), Theflyingportrait (11/1), Just Cameron (20/1), Rock On Rocky (22/1)

A tough one to call and good solid renewal of this race this time around. Simply Ned has won this twice and was only beaten a neck (by Theflyingportrait) in last year's running. The joint-topweight is better off with last year's victor and has to merit respect in his return to claim his crown. However, the concession of 10lb to the likes of DOUBLE W'S makes for a big task and it's Malcolm Jefferson's charge that just edges the vote this time around. Forest Bihan also has to merit plenty respect on the pick of his form but he he too may be anchored by his burden on these terms.