Visit racingtv.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 57.8s

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Selected odds by:

Lord Sparky^b,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-5| J: Mr Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 101| CD

11/4

Winner of this race 12 months ago and notched fourth chase success here over C&D in December. Shade below par at Wetherby last time, but has to be taken seriously back at this venue.

Form: 1P2324

Dubai Guest^b,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Kendrick| T: J Coulson| OR: 94| D

20/1

Off the mark at Fakenham (3m) in November and runner-up on sole previous visit here over C&D on Boxing Day. However, latest effort was poor and opposable on debut for new yard.

Form: 17223P

Aleatoric^b⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Reed| T: Martin Smith| OR: 87

11/1

In good heart on the Flat in recent months, but he's clearly more of a force on artifical surfaces and will need to leave his hurdles form behind now switched to fences if he's to play a leading role.

Form: P/306-P4

Thundersockssundae^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 83

5/2

Yet to taste success, but clearly getting the hang of things in this sphere judged on solid second over 2½m here last month. 3 lb rise fair enough and another bold show anticipated.

Form: 23P432

Leskinfere^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Cornwall| OR: 82| CD

10/3

Finally got his head in front when striking over C&D last month and followed up back here eight days later. Up 11 lb in total, but he's clearly at the top of his game and should be on the premises once more.

Form: 574311

Cigarettesnalcohol⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 82

10/1

Hasn't offered much in a handful of runs over hurdles and big step forward needed on this chase debut.

Form: 69-5750

Hidden Glen¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 67

15/2

Best effort for a while when fourth of 10 in a handicap chase at Sedgefield recently, but record stands at 0-12 over fences.

Form: 56UP34

Non-Runners

Almost Gold⁵⁶⁵

Weight: 12-6| Age: 9

T: Ian Williams J: Angus Cheleda

Forecasts

Thundersockssundae (5/2), Lord Sparky (11/4), Leskinfere (10/3), Almost Gold (9/2), Hidden Glen (15/2), Cigarettesnalcohol (10/1), Aleatoric (11/1), Dubai Guest (20/1)

While an 18-month absence is cause for concern, ALMOST GOLD's claims are otherwise pretty compelling and he gets the nod in what looks an open race. Thundersockssundae will be a serious danger if able build on his latest effort and the hat-trick seeking Leskinfere also merits respect.