18:20 Stratford

Monday 22 August 2022

All16:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

IJF South West Hub Now Open Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 4m 39.2s

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Selected odds by:

Debden Bank^t1,v³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 112

16/1

3-time chase winner last season and, after a wind op, ran respectably over hurdles when third at Southwell in June. Well below form next time, so needs to bounce back returned to chasing in 1st-time tongue tie.

Form: PP1-P38

Steady The Ship^b²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

9/2

Won his first 2 starts over fences at Southwell (20.4f) in April/May and, following a blip at Huntingdon, has run creditably on his last 2 outings. Can give another good account.

Form: 81-1323

Smith's Bay²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 97| D

6/1

Has reverted to chasing this season and took a step back in right direction when second at this C&D in June. Not in the same form here next time, but capable of getting involved off his current mark.

Form: 42-P623

Boston Joe^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 95| C

5/1

Left chase debut form behind when scoring at Ffos Las in May and followed up here (17f) 17 days later. However, now needs to get back on track following 2 below-par efforts. First try at this trip over fences.

Form: 7-31107

Time To Bite³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 88

7/1

Remains a maiden after 18 NH runs. Pulled up in novice chase at Tipperary (19.5f) last month. Has enough to prove on first run for yard after leaving L. J. Archdeacon.

Form: 55-056P

Blaze A Trail^h²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: C Brace| T: J L Flint| OR: 87| CD

11/4

Fair winning hurdler/chaser in Ireland and in a hood he bounced back with an easy victory over C&D last month. Can follow up.

Form: 6P-P761

Severus Alexander^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: C Hobson| OR: 82

66/1

Has shown little on the Flat this year and, after 4 months off, fared no better when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Southwell in June. Best watched on only his second start over fences.

Form: 0PP9/6-P

Special Buddy^p,t⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 76

9/2

Placed on first 4 starts last season, but ended the campaign on a low note when well held at Worcester. Has won twice in points since last seen under Rules 13 months ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 5153-16

Non-Runners

Makety³⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: O Sherwood J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Blaze A Trail (11/4), Special Buddy (9/2), Steady The Ship (9/2), Boston Joe (5/1), Smith's Bay (6/1), Time To Bite (7/1), Makety (12/1), Debden Bank (16/1), Severus Alexander (66/1)

BLAZE A TRAIL had shown little since joining his current yard, but fitted with a hood, he returned to form when an easy winner of a C&D handicap 25 days ago. The 8-y-o remains on a good mark based on his form in Ireland, so he can see off the challenge of Steady The Ship who has taken well to chasing for Jonjo O'Neill. Smith's Bay completes the shortlist.