Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 6m 38.03s

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Selected odds by:

Kap Auteuil²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 140

17/2

Has made big strides over fences, winning 6 of his last 8 starts over the bigger obstacles, the latest success coming at Stratford 3 weeks ago. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 171471

Bavington Bob¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 139

2/1

Improving by the run over fences, completing the 4-timer with something to spare at Kelso 12 days ago. 9 lb higher and quite a quick turnaround but still much respected.

Form: 521111

Enqarde^t1⁵⁶

10/3

Generally progressive chaser who pieced it all together to win Tommy Whittle over C&D in December. Possibly unsuited by much softer ground when pulled up in Grand National Trial here in February. Freshened up since (had wind surgery) and remains well treated on Tommy Whittle form. Tongue tie added.

Form: 15P-51P

Snuff Box⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133| CD

12/1

Fortuitous winner (left clear at the last) at Bangor in January, but made his own luck when following up in good style at Lingfield in February. Beaten when carried out in Devon National at Exeter since. Won on this card a year ago.

Form: 1-7711P

Musical Slave^p1³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130

7/1

Gained a belated second chase success in a small field at Sandown last month but doesn't strike as an obvious type to follow up in a deeper race now. Can make the odd mistake. Has cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 399-331

Quartz Du Rheu¹²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128

17/2

Notched 3 wins around 3m in the first half of the season. Freshened up since a respectable third at Newbury in December. Stable's very good form at present provides hope of a bold show.

Form: 511213

Breizh Alko⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: M Keighley| OR: 112| C

5/1

Low-mileage 11-y-o who landed a pair of chase wins under Brian Hughes at the start of the spring, but he has more on his plate from 2 lb out of the weights on his hat-trick bid and Hughes sides with Bavington Bob this time.

Form: 61/5211

Non-Runners

Tango Boy⁸⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: N P Mulholland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bavington Bob (2/1), Enqarde (10/3), Breizh Alko (5/1), Musical Slave (7/1), Tango Boy (7/1), Quartz Du Rheu (17/2), Kap Auteuil (17/2), Snuff Box (12/1)

ENQARDE, who has had wind surgery since pulling up in the Grand National Trial here, continues to look well treated on the form of his easy Tommy Whittle success over C&D and can bring to an end the winning run of Bavington Bob. The excellent form of the Jonjo O'Neill stable also earns Quartz du Rheu a place on the shortlist.