Betfred 'the Home Of Goals Galore' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:34 | Winning time: 5m 27.96s

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Selected odds by:

Clan Legend^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 132| C

11/2

Physically has always looked to be a chaser, but is also a five time winner over hurdles and his overall career statistics make for pleasant viewing (8 from 23). Ran a blinder at Wetherby latest (second), and will relish the underfoot conditions.

Form: 14-1412

Greybougg⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: N J Hawke| OR: 129| D

12/1

Strong front runner who can often pay the price for adopting those forcing tactics. Sits on a mark 6lb higher than he won off at Uttoxeter in April (2m4f soft), and ventures North having been absent since early December.

Form: 2331-U6

Takingrisks²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 127

4/1

Mud-lark who was very much in contention on his penultimate at Kelso (2m5f+) when falling three out. Couldn't make amends next time at Wetherby, but ridden with slightly more restraint, could profit from a 3lb drop in the weights.

Form: 14P-2F4

Viens Chercher^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 126

14/1

A horse with ability, but one who has probably been held back by the handicapper for his gains as a novice. Should be sharper for his January spin at Sedgefield (2m3f+ soft), and has dropped a further 2lb since.

Form: 43-4863

Wolf Sword³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 124| D

8/1

A fair performer when he has everything in his favour. However, the worry today is his ability to handle the testing conditions with his last two victories coming on good (2m4f) and good to soft ground (2m3f+). Not at his best lately.

Form: 21-41P4

Plus Jamais^p⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 122| CD

12/1

Reverted to hurdling in early January when seeking a four-timer (disappointing). Alternates between Ayr and Newcastle, and has a strong record at both tracks (2,1,1 here), but is 5lb higher than when winning in early December.

Form: 3211-16

Central Flame²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss C Walton⁽³⁾| T: J Walton| OR: 120| D

7/1

Very well handicapped on his hurdles form from 2015 (3 from 7), with testing conditions holding no fears whatsoever. Often set plenty to do by his rider, and that has been the case here the past twice (3m). Chance if ridden more positively.

Form: 5/4-PP33

Acdc^h,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: R Johnson| T: C Grant| OR: 115| D

2/1

Had an off day over 3m here in December, but was back in the winners enclosure at Kelso last month (2m5f+ heavy) when downing the progressive Very First Time. Mark untouched, and this might simply be more his trip.

Form: 5-21441

Forecasts

Acdc (2/1), Takingrisks (4/1), Clan Legend (11/2), Central Flame (7/1), Wolf Sword (8/1), Plus Jamais (12/1), Greybougg (12/1), Viens Chercher (14/1)

An each-way angle just about exists with eight declared runners, and that is probably important in a very competitive contest where you'd not want to rule out all that many. Plus Jamais excels over the Newcastle fences (2,1,1), whilst both Takingrisks and Central Flame could be considered with slightly different riding tactics applied (more restraint/taking closer order respectively). Furthermore, Acdc lurks at the foot of the weights with Richard Johnson aboard, and he dispatched a bang in-form horse on unfavourable terms at Kelso latest. Nevertheless, it is the top-weighted CLAN LEGEND who is most alluring. He's always looked every inch a chaser, and he revels in these type of conditions, and ran an absolute blinder off his revised mark at Wetherby latest to get within 2¾L of the Dr Richard Newland trained Catamaran Du Seuil.