16:10 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 March 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Award-Winning White Lion Weston Restaurant Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 5m 19.1s

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Selected odds by:

Franigane^p1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 115

5/1

Looked a useful hurdling prospect when scoring at Wetherby in February 2021. However, he has failed to land a blow in 2 starts switched to fences since returning from a lengthy absence, finishing almost 18 lengths adrift of Tip Top Mountain over C&D last time. Now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 4212/44

Marco Island^b1⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 115

7/2

Bumper winner who opened his hurdles account at the second attempt at Chepstow (19.4f) last February (second and third from that race have both won since). Disappointing on return/chase debut at Exeter but should be suited by this return to a left-handed track and first-time blinkers may also help.

Form: 121-6

Fine Theatre^p,t⁴⁴³

Age: 13| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: R T Phillips| OR: 115| DWS

80/1

Dual hurdles/chase winner for Paul Nolan in Ireland but latest success was back in March 2020 and he was pulled up on debut for this yard at Haydock on sole start last season (since undergone a wind op). Now at the veteran stage and has plenty to prove.

Form: P0P20/P-

Courtland⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 114| C

16/1

Hurdles winner here back in 2020 and took well to chasing with 2m wins at Ffos Las and Newton Abbot in summer 2021. Well below par in 3 starts since returning from 15 months off in October, though, and he was well beaten on sole previous attempt at this trip.

Form: 711-5U5

Key Commander²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 113| D

3/1

Lost his way in Ireland but has returned from a break for new connections with creditable placed efforts at Hereford and Carlisle (both at around 3m) since the turn of the year. This drop back in trip could be just what he needs and a bold show is anticipated.

Form: B-54033

Tip Top Mountain^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: R Walford| OR: 110| CD

8/1

Winner of a Fontwell handicap on return in November and made it 2-2 over this C&D with a battling display on his penultimate start. However, failed to get into any sort of rhythm jumping-wise when pulled up at Huntingdon since and, in any case, he's probably a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: 23-141P

Cokytho^t1⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: O Sherwood| OR: 110WS

50/1

Boasts plenty of experience over fences in France, running best race when 3 lengths second in 8-runner claimer at Auteuil (17.4f) in September. Reported to have been suffering from a respiratory issue when pulled up on debut for new yard on New Year's Eve and has subsequently undergone a wind op.

Form: 6-4442P

Not Sure^b⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 107

10/3

Found improvement when off the mark in this sphere in first-time blinkers at Hereford in January. Beaten 15 lengths when third to Tip Top Mountain over C&D since but almost certainly would've finished closer had he not clouted the third-last, and now 6 lb better off with that rival.

Form: 2-44413

Billingsley⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 103| BF

11/1

Latest success gained off this mark at Ffos Las last February and placed all 3 starts this season, chasing home a handicap blot in first-time cheekpieces at Hereford (2m) last time. Headgear dispensed with here and perhaps this step back up in trip will prove to be a good thing.

Form: 42-3332

Forecasts

Key Commander (3/1), Not Sure (10/3), Marco Island (7/2), Franigane (5/1), Tip Top Mountain (8/1), Billingsley (11/1), Courtland (16/1), Cokytho (50/1), Fine Theatre (80/1)

The vote goes to KEY COMMANDER, who has acquitted himself well both starts for new connections and a similarly aggressive ride to that which he was given when third over 24.5f at Carlisle could pay dividends back down in trip here. Granted a clean round of jumping, Not Sure may well reverse January C&D placings with Tip Top Mountain on 6 lb better terms and he is feared most. Marco Island was disappointing on his chase debut but is worth another chance given the strength of his hurdles form.