Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 23.57s

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Selected odds by:

Sporting John^b1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 141

9/1

Not the force of old (Grade 1 novice chase winner) and has plenty to prove at present after 2 poor runs back in this sphere. Headgear now reached for.

Form: 141-4P0

Windsor Avenue³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: B Ellison| OR: 140| C

8/1

Well served by fitting of blinkers when landing Sky Bet Chase here (3m) 13 months ago but has mostly struggled since despite receding mark.

Form: PP-P4P4

Castle Robin^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 138| C

10/3

Ended last season on the up over fences, scoring over C&D and Wetherby in the spring. Excuses first 2 starts this term before resuming winning ways at Sandown 4 weeks ago, making most. Remains of interest.

Form: 611-4P1

Neville's Cross¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 134| D

25/1

Scored at Bangor off 3 lb higher in July but hasn't fired subsequently, pulled up at Wincanton 2 weeks ago. A more compelling case can be made for others.

Form: 1P8P5P

Cooper's Cross^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 133| C

15/8

Progressing well and made a winning return from 6 months off at Carlisle (2½m) in October. At least as good when placed at Aintree/Musselburgh before taking things up a notch when landing Sky Bet Chase here (3m) in first-time headgear. Extra 2f unlikely to be a problem and big shout up 5 lb.

Form: P-21321

Undersupervision^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| CD

3/1

Has become disappointing again since opening his account over fences in this race a year ago (off this mark). Capable but certainly not one for maximum faith.

Form: 41P-3PU

Moroder³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 130| D

18/1

Much improved last season, completing a 4-timer in handicap chase at Exeter. However, well held both starts this term and best watched at present. 1 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 1111-P0

Non-Runners

Does He Know²¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cooper's Cross (15/8), Does He Know (11/4), Undersupervision (3/1), Castle Robin (10/3), Windsor Avenue (8/1), Sporting John (9/1), Moroder (18/1), Neville's Cross (25/1)

COOPER'S CROSS took this season's progress up a notable notch fitted with this headgear when making light of a rise in class in the Sky Bet Chase here 5 weeks ago and could still be ahead of his mark up 5 lb given he beat a subsequent winner that day. Castle Robin enhanced his good strike rate over fences with a polished round of jumping at Sandown, so is another to consider along with the classy Does He Know.