14:05 Wetherby

Saturday 26 December 2020

All11:5012:2012:5313:2814:0514:4015:13

William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 7m 10.41s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Spiritofthegames^p⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| D

9/2

Regular in competitive handicaps and returned at the top of his game when second at Cheltenham 42 days ago. Likely to be thereabouts once more, though not the easiest to win with.

Form: P0226-2

Windsor Avenue¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 147| D

5/1

Quickly developed into a smart chaser last term and found only Imperial Aura too good at Carlisle on return, so claims if he can put a subsequent blip behind him.

Form: 112F-2P

The Dutchman^p,t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Dowson| T: T Davidson| OR: 145| C

11/1

Likeable chaser for Colin Tizzard and showed he retains all his old ability when runner-up at Haydock on just his second outing for this stable. Tongue strap and cheekpieces go back on.

Form: 61PU/62

Canelo^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 142

9/2

Improving chaser who scored at Aintree in November and improved further with an excellent staying on second in a strong event at Newbury last time. Makes plenty of appeal with more to come.

Form: 601-012

Wandrin Star^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 141| D

14/1

Better than ever when successful on Wincanton reappearance in October and was right back on his game when second at Ascot recently, pulling clear with a likeable sort. Another bold showing expected.

Form: 56/189-2

Springtown Lake^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 141

11/2

Talented on his day and shaped as if still in form when fifth behind Beau Bay in Grand Sefton at Aintree last time. Cheekpieces could help, so he looks a strong player from a fair mark.

Form: P219-25

Beau Bay^h,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 138| C

14/1

Useful chaser who looked better than ever when landing the Grand Sefton at Aintree in convincing style 3 weeks ago. 7-lb rise leaves him with something to find back over conventional fences.

Form: 3123-51

Snow Leopardess³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 135

10/3

Has come to chasing quite late but has taken to it well, confirming previous encouragement when landing a 12-runner handicap at Haydock 35 days ago. Further improvement can't be ruled out.

Form: 1/92-321

Non-Runners

Guitar Pete⁴²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: R D Day

Forecasts

Snow Leopardess (10/3), Canelo (9/2), Spiritofthegames (9/2), Windsor Avenue (5/1), Springtown Lake (11/2), The Dutchman (11/1), Guitar Pete (12/1), Wandrin Star (14/1), Beau Bay (14/1)

A fiercely-competitive handicap chase in which CANELO gets the nod on the back of a cracking second at Newbury in a race that's already proving strong form. All the others have something to recommend them, with the improving Snow Leopardess regarded as the main threat ahead of Wandrin Star.