Mike Ogston's 50th Birthday Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 51.07s

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Selected odds by:

Getaway Goldie⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 118| BF| C| D

3/1

Low-mileage mare who got off the mark over hurdles here (20f) in April and followed up with a bit to spare back over fences at Downpatrick (23.5f) in June. Runner-up from higher mark on these shores over C&D just over 6 weeks ago and has to be respected.

Form: 3/081-12

Exit To Where^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 111| D

12/1

Back to winning ways (although did little in front) at Kelso in May but found out in better company at over C&D subsequently. Never looked like landing a blow at Cartmel last month so needs to get back on track from this slightly reduced mark.

Form: 52-2145

Friary Rock^v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: L Morgan| OR: 106| C

11/8

Clearly now finding his feet for current connections and took advantage of his reduced mark back over fences at this course (20.1f, good) 18 days ago. Had a bit up his sleeve that day and a 5 lb rise probably not enough to prevent the follow up.

Form: 777P-41

Castletown^b³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 102| BF| C

9/2

Still hardly one for maximum faith but he has found some consistency since joining this yard, following small-field Kelso win in May with 3 creditable efforts in defeat (runner-up over C&D latterly). Not discounted.

Form: 43-1232

Pardon Me^p1¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 100| C

16/1

C&D last year but yet to fire this season, tailed off behind Friary Rock at this course (20.1f, good) 18 days ago. Hopes pinned on first-time cheekpieces working the oracle.

Form: 123-854

Easy Bucks⁴⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 91| BF| D

15/2

Improved for the switch to chasing in 2020, winning pair of 3m handicaps at Uttoxeter. Let down by his jumping when last seen at Worcester (23f, good) 13 months ago and this outing should reveal where he's at.

Form: 263P/36-

Forecasts

Friary Rock (11/8), Getaway Goldie (3/1), Castletown (9/2), Easy Bucks (15/2), Exit To Where (12/1), Pardon Me (16/1)

FRIARY ROCK had plenty up his sleeve when opening his account for current connections at this track last month and, with this step back up in trip holding no fears, a 5 lb rise is unlikely to prevent the follow up. Gordon Elliott recorded a landmark 200th winner at this course last month and his Getaway Goldie may emerge as the main danger, ahead of Castletown.