Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (For The James Barclay Challenge Trophy)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 6m 53.5s

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Selected odds by:

Juge Et Parti^p,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| D

3/1

Done well in handicap chases this season, winning at Bangor and Perth in the summer. In the frame all 3 starts since, third at Carlisle (24.5f) 19 days ago when having to switch 1f out. Shortlisted.

Form: 311343

Strong Economy^p⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 117| CD

11/2

Dual handicap chase winner in the mud here last season. Bounced back to best when runner-up over C&D 69 days ago and can get back to winning ways returned to Ayr.

Form: 16-4P52

Donna's Delight^p¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 117| CD

9/2

Won pair of handicaps chases here in early 2020 but off for 22 months before pulling up at Newcastle in January. Possibly still needed the run last time but has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 4511/P5

Niceandeasy^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 114

9/4

Matched fair hurdles form on first completed start over fences when scoring at Doncaster (26f) last month, doing well under circumstances. No match for a progressive rival at Kelso (23.4f) last time.

Form: 2/43F12

Kalaharry²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 109| CD

7/2

Fortunate to take 15.6f Hexham handicap chase on return. Creditable third over 23.4f at Newcastle in December, but down the field both starts since. Now goes significantly back up in trip.

Form: 126376

Non-Runners

Glittering Love¹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Niceandeasy (9/4), Juge Et Parti (3/1), Glittering Love (10/3), Kalaharry (7/2), Donna's Delight (9/2), Strong Economy (11/2)

STRONG ECONOMY won twice at Ayr last season, including over C&D, and returned to his best when runner-up here in January. He is now back down to his last winning mark so could be able to get his head in front again. Glittering Love also goes wel here as a 3-time C&D winner and he remains well-treated on old form, but Juge et Parti is feared most having been in good form over fences this season.