Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 5m 15.25s

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Selected odds by:

Lithic^b1¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| C

4/1

Still yet to win over fences (0-16) and clearly isn't the most straightforward of characters; that said; he couldn't be totally dismissed on some of his better efforts (with the possibility that first-time blinkers can have a galvanising effect).

Form: 223-P3P

Zolfo^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 126| C

7/1

Despite visibly tiring from the back of the final fence, he completed the hat-trick when winning here (2m1f, soft) on Boxing Day; sits 5lb higher in the weights needing yet another career best in order to land the four-timer; stays 2m4f.

Form: 185111

Just Don't Ask^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 126| BF| D

9/2

Consistent in three starts this term and appreciates cut underfoot; emerged with credit despite finishing last of the three to complete at Wetherby (2m3½f, soft) on Boxing Day; is another solid ride for title-seeking Brian Hughes.

Form: 717-333

Ballinslea Bridge¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 125| CD

3/1

On an upward curve over hurdles for Olly Murphy during the 2017/18 season; back from a long absence (655 days) over fences for Gary Moore of late; rock-solid second to Tea Time On Mars at Exeter (2m3½f, soft) on New Year's Day; 3lb higher.

Form: 2211/72

Ramonex^t⁵⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Cook| T: R Hobson| OR: 120| D

7/2

Beaten a neck by Un Guet Apens (from an 8lb higher mark) at Kelso (2m5½f, soft) around this time last year; fitness is taken on trust on return from a seven-month absence; others are preferred.

Form: 3120P/2-

Tiffin Top⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 122

11/1

Made the frame (third to Celtic Joy) on chasing debut at Kempton (2m2f, good) in October and generally appears better suited to right-handed tracks; made mistakes at Wincanton subsequently and this is somewhat of a recovery mission; 1-18 career.

Form: 3-22637

Bandsman²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| CD

18/1

Form figures this season (P3PP5) make for fairly dismal viewing, although the handicapper has cut him some slack since his May 2019 C&D success (now 2lb lower); has a mountain to climb with Zolfo on the basis of Boxing Day form.

Form: 6P3PP5

Sporting Press^h¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 111

14/1

Saves his better efforts for a sound surface at Musselburgh - with hindsight faced a very tough task there against Defi Sacre on his penultimate start; has occasionally given the impression that he's a shade 'soft' in the heat of a battle; ground?

Form: 53P22P

Forecasts

Ballinslea Bridge (3/1), Ramonex (7/2), Lithic (4/1), Just Don't Ask (9/2), Zolfo (7/1), Tiffin Top (11/1), Sporting Press (14/1), Bandsman (18/1)

Title-seeking Brian Hughes takes the ride aboard Just Don't Ask and that duo are expected be on the premises following a series of consistent efforts, while the four-timer seeking Zolfo will surely need to scale new heights if to defy the attentions of the handicapper (5lb rise) for his Boxing Day success. However, the horse who makes most appeal is the unexposed BALLINSLEA BRIDGE. As a progressive novice hurdler for Olly Murphy during the 2017/18 season he's clearly had a few issues (was off the track for 655 days). Nevertheless, he's made a pleasing return over fences for a new trainer (Gary Moore) shaping as if his turn was near at Exeter (2m3½f) on New Year's Day.