Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 2.21s

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Selected odds by:

Lalor^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

5/1

Smart chaser who got back on track for new yard when third of 19 in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on return. Disappointed on both starts since, but this much less competitive.

Form: 3/P-P36P

Al Dancer^p,t1³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 143

85/40

Form tailed off following a promising start over fences last season but back from a break and in first-time cheekpieces, he turned in his best effort of the season when third at Chepstow 5 weeks ago. Tongue tie applied and this step back up in trip sure to suit. Major player.

Form: 9P-0453

Dublin Four^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| CD

11/4

C&D winner on yard bow in November and not disgraced after 10 weeks off when fifth back here 4 weeks ago. Remains early days for this yard so shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 314-1F5

Barton Knoll⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: J Mackie| OR: 127| D

8/1

Returned to form to capitalise on a drop in the weights in 4-runner handicap chase at Doncaster (19.1f) in November, just holding on. Similar form when runner-up at Wetherby 10 weeks later and likely to remain competitive from an unchanged mark.

Form: 44-0P12

Dorking Lad^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 126| D

7/2

Scored at Wincanton and Huntingdon earlier this year but never really found much of a rhythm after an early error in his hat-trick bid at Sandown 3 weeks ago. Can get back on track provided mistakes are kept to a minimum.

Form: 272113

Forecasts

Al Dancer (85/40), Dublin Four (11/4), Dorking Lad (7/2), Lalor (5/1), Barton Knoll (8/1)

A tricky race to unravel despite the small field but this step back up in trip should be right up AL DANCER's street and with a first-time tongue tie added to the cheekpieces worn last time, he's taken to notch a third success over the larger obstacles. Dublin Four made a winning start for this trainer over C&D back in November so he can give the selection most to think about, ahead of Dorking Lad.