14:00 Southwell

Sunday 23 June 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:15

Visit attheraces.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 6m 35.0s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Shady Glen^b,t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 102| D

9/1

Won three times in 2017/18, but below form on the whole last season. Some late promise on return but maybe needs a stiffer test nowadays. Down in grade but more needed.

Form: 7655P-5

Baron Du Plessis¹⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101

11/1

Remains a maiden following 21 starts and has proven better at a touch shorter than this trip. Should at least be suited by drop in grade following a disappointing effort when last seen in January.

Form: 7/34426-

Lucky Jim^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 100

12/1

Just twice a winner under both codes from 32 seconds and despite finishing second on five occasions, is yet to open his account in 14 starts over fences. Well held on reappearance but place possibilities if building on that.

Form: 22/42P-5

Love The Leader^p³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Farrelly| OR: 99| D

20/1

A victim of the handicapper's wrath after he scored a quick-fire hat-trick last November displaying his versatility over hurdles and fences. Stable in form but he's been well beaten in three starts this year.

Form: 1356-P5

Bletchley Castle^t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 99| BF| D

15/2

Often blazes off in front and in good form this year over this trip in point-to-points before two runs in hunter chases. First try at this far under Rules which could suit on stable debut. Should make a bold bid.

Form: 2P11-37

Riddlestown^b¹¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 99| CD

22/1

Front runner boasts nine wins from 58 starts over fences but remains an inconsistent type. Very disappointing the last twice since Plumpton win and a bit to prove now.

Form: 24P-17P

Isle Road³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 91| D

11/1

Found a new lease of life after a break when winning over hurdles and fences (showing improved form) this time last year. Pulled up on final start last year and tailed off on stable and season debut over hurdles. Hard to recommend.

Form: 7/114P-0

Hardtorock^p¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 82| D

11/1

Both career wins have been over 2m5.5f at Fontwell but does stay this far as shown by Plumpton third on reappearance. Disappointed next time back at Fontwell but doesn't like softer ground and could bounce back providing there's no rain.

Form: 31PP-35

Phoenix Rock²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 78

11/2

13-race maiden but ran his best effort so far in four starts over fences when third at Warwick last month. May have more to offer now but she does need to brush up her jumping.

Form: 06S6-U3

Eaton Miller^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 76| BF| D

8/1

Brought down final circuit when in touch two starts back but had made several mistakes and jumping again let him down when unseating last start. Back on winning mark from April but jumping remains a concern.

Form: 3013-BU

Ballina Lady^h,t⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 71| D

25/1

Yet to place in four starts over fences and disappointed on recent stable debut following some decent form in point-to-points. Step up in trip could help but a bit to prove now.

Form: 9P42-15

Canyouhearmenow^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: J E Moore| T: B Pauling| OR: 64

4/1

Fontwell winner in the mud in March last year but hasn't been able to build on that and has really struggled in four starts this year. Joins a very good stable so market support would be interesting.

Form: 15/5P5-4

Forecasts

Canyouhearmenow (4/1), Phoenix Rock (11/2), Bletchley Castle (15/2), Eaton Miller (8/1), Shady Glen (9/1), Isle Road (11/1), Hardtorock (11/1), Baron Du Plessis (11/1), Lucky Jim (12/1), Love The Leader (20/1), Riddlestown (22/1), Ballina Lady (25/1)

Lucky Jim may have needed his first run back and is always one who can pop up for a place. Bletchley Castle will ensure it's a strong pace and he's worth step up in distance. HARDTOROCK ran really well on his first run back and the ground was a valid excuse last time. Providing the rain stays away he can return to form.