Betfair Each Way Edge Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 7m 30.0s

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Bishops Road^b,t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 135| CD

13/2

Well treated on his best form, now dropping in grade. Could do significantly better than his last three runs, although ideally wants soft ground.

Form: P77-U63

Dawson City²¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Conor Shoemark| T: P Gundry| OR: 133

18/1

Thorough stayer who is 6lb higher than when scoring over 3m6½f at Exeter in February. Yet to win when fresh, so looks up against it, particularly when his best form is on softer ground.

Form: 4P3126-

Red Infantry^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 132

7/2

Both chase wins have been over 3m on soft ground, though won on good over hurdles. Yet to race beyond 3m1½f. Caught the eye with wide margin novice success at Warwick in March. Fell next time, but interesting if he can bounce back.

Form: 3121F-9

Very First Time²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 130

10/1

Best form has been on soft/heavy ground. Would be very interesting if able to get back to the performances he was producing this time last year. Faced tough assignments in the spring, but not ruled out from this reducing mark.

Form: F11200-

Two Smokin Barrels²¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 128

14/1

Multiple-winning mare who wants it at least good to soft, or slower, to show her best. Peak effort came when scoring at Warwick in March (3m1f, soft). More needed from 4lb higher on faster ground. Trainer won this race in 2016.

Form: F32175-

Alvarado⁴¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128| D

14/1

Veteran who is without a win in five years. Stays well, however, and couldn't write him out of the frame from this mark, if he retains his ability of 12-months ago.

Form: 6P4/32-9

Sam Red^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

5/1

Has not turned out to be as good as he once promised, but ended a nine-race losing run when scoring at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) last month. 4lb rise in better race saw him pulled up last time but enters calculations back at this level and up in trip.

Form: 28-051P

Little Bruce^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 115

2/1

Returned from a break to make all and win at Hexham (3m, good) on his second chase start recently. Has a bit to prove in terms of both experience and stamina, but is an interesting runner in receipt of weight.

Form: 3081-41

Forecasts

Little Bruce (2/1), Red Infantry (7/2), Sam Red (5/1), Bishops Road (13/2), Very First Time (10/1), Alvarado (14/1), Two Smokin Barrels (14/1), Dawson City (18/1)

Several of these want more rain to give them their best chance and it could be an opportunity for a bit of a turn up, with a chance taken on LITTLE BRUCE. Inexperienced and therefore by definition, unexposed over fences, there was nothing wrong with his recent Hexham success and he sneaks in under a feather weight, on ground that we know he handles. Sam Red, Very First Time and Red Infantry are all of interest, while Bishops Road has his best chance for a while, although he too would prefer soft ground.