Pat Smyth 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 5m 9.1s

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Selected odds by:

Fanzio^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Best| T: R Hobson| OR: 118| C

10/1

Fairly useful chaser who ran his best race of the season when 5 lengths second of 4 at Fontwell a fortnight ago but more will be needed against some of these unexposed opponents.

Form: 5P3-P32

Ornua^p,t¹¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Georgie Howell| OR: 117| DWS

66/1

One-time smart chaser in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead but nowhere near as good nowadays, finishing a remote sixth at Worcester when last seen in June. Has had wind surgery in the 4 months since.

Form: 899-356

Godrevy Point²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 117| BF

11/4

Runner-up twice before getting off the mark in a 25f Hereford maiden hurdle in February. Ended his campaign with a creditable third of 6 in a 3m Haydock handicap hurdle. Appeals as the sort to make a chaser but peak fitness has to be taken on trust after 6 months off.

Form: 352213-

Fairway Freddy²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 115

40/1

Last 3 chase successes gained at Plumpton but he was well beaten when unseating on last month's reappearnce there. Can only be watched after that.

Form: 8P315-F

Ahead Of The Field^p1,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 113

14/1

Fair hurdle winner in Ireland who struck over fences for present yard at Southwell (20.5f) last December. Inconsistent since, taking little interest on last month's Warwick reappearance. First-time cheekpieces need to perk his interest.

Form: 81724-P

Punxsutawney Phil^p³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 112| BF| CD

2/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner who struck at the third time of asking over fences in 4-runner Stratford handicap in August. Pulled clear with an upwardly-mobile rival at Worcester last month and should be bang there again back down in trip.

Form: 5-42U12

Midnight Jewel¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110

2/1

Building up a fine strike rate, making it 6 wins in his last 9 starts when seeing off 5 rivals in a Bangor handicap chase under Lilly Pinchin 17 days ago. Up a further 5 lb but another bold show is still on the cards.

Form: 12-1211

Non-Runners

Huelgoat¹⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Bryony Frost

Forecasts

Punxsutawney Phil (2/1), Midnight Jewel (2/1), Huelgoat (5/2), Godrevy Point (11/4), Fanzio (10/1), Ahead Of The Field (14/1), Fairway Freddy (40/1), Ornua (66/1)

Probably best to narrow this down to the improvers towards the bottom of the weights, with the Paul Nicholls-trained HUELGOAT taken to extend his unbeaten chase record to 3 at the expense of Midnight Jewel and Punxsutawney Phil. Chase-newcomer Godrevy Point would also come into the reckoning if the betting vibes are strong on his reappearance.