Oceaneering George MacPhail Retirement Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 5.63s

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Selected odds by:

Mint Gold^t⁹⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| CD

13/2

Hurdles winner who tasted success twice during 2020/21 season, latterly over this C&D. Far from disgraced in 2 starts during summer of 2021 but absent since and yard look to hold stronger claims with Garde des Champs.

Form: 217254/

Blueberry Wine^t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114| D

9/2

5-time winner over fences, landing handicaps at Huntingdon/Aintree during early summer. Mixed bag subsequently, running below form on the back of a wind op when fifth of 8 in handicap at Sedgefield (17f) in October. Mark is easing at least.

Form: 112445

Restandbethankful^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 110| D

2/1

Well served by return to positive tactics when opening account for new yard at Sedgefield (17f) in October. Good second next time and this more suitable than his latest assignment when fourth over this C&D.

Form: 283124

Neigh Botha^b,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 96| CD

6/5

Maiden over hurdles but offered encouragement on 2 of his 3 starts over fences, perhaps doing a little too much too soon in first-time blinkers (retained here) when third at Sedgefield (19.3f) 2 weeks ago. Not out of things.

Form: 977363

Non-Runners

Garde Des Champs⁴³

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Forecasts

Neigh Botha (6/5), Restandbethankful (2/1), Garde Des Champs (2/1), Blueberry Wine (9/2), Mint Gold (13/2)

Successful over hurdles at Perth during the summer, there was enough encouragement from GARDE DES CHAMPS chase debut third at Wetherby 6 weeks ago to think he can do better in this sphere and he earns the vote to come out on top. Restandbethankful and Neigh Botha head up the dangers.