Keogh & Hows Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 38.3s

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Selected odds by:

Westerninthepark²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 119| C| D

8/13

Bumper winner who was progressive over hurdles for Anthony Charlton last season, scoring at Plumpton and Fakenham prior to finishing a good fifth of 17 in a Grade 3 Sandown handicap (2½m, soft) in March. Very much of interest starting out over fences for new yard here.

Form: 10/3115-

Belargus^t²⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 117

16/1

Lightly-raced and largely below his best since latest success at Sandown in April 2021 but ended last season by finishing a solid second in first-time blinkers at Huntingdon (23.6f, soft). Record when fresh isn't compelling and goes without blinkers this time but he's a player nonetheless.

Form: P3/5P52-

Clondaw Royale¹¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112

6/1

Made an encouraging start over hurdles when landing a Bangor maiden here last December. However, he has failed to progress in 2 subsequent completions, including on chase debut back at the aforementioned track in June.

Form: 821F-44

Petticoat Lucy³⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 109| D

13/2

Fair hurdler who was successful at Newton Abbot and Exeter on her first 2 starts over fences. Appeared to be in contention when brought down at Cheltenham on latest appearance last December and she will be in with a shout if ready to roll.

Form: 33/117B-

Innisfree Lass^p¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 108

6/1

Improved upped in trip/with cheekpieces fitted when running out a wide-margin winner of 2 handicap hurdles at Southwell (24.3f, heavy) during second half of last term. Gone up 12 lb for latest success but she will be a danger to all if her jumping passes the test now switched to fences.

Form: 44/P121-

As Tears Go By³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 105

40/1

Hit the target twice for Gordon Elliott in 2023 but it's been tough going in 4 starts for new connections since returning to action during the summer, most recently finishing well held on chase debut at Worcester.

Form: 57-P986

Non-Runners

William Cody¹⁹²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: Mrs P Sly J: Paul O'Brien

Imac Wood²¹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: Deborah Cole J: Chris Ward

Forecasts

Westerninthepark (8/13), Imac Wood (5/1), Innisfree Lass (6/1), William Cody (6/1), Clondaw Royale (6/1), Petticoat Lucy (13/2), Belargus (16/1), As Tears Go By (40/1)

While it's tempting to side with those with experience over fences, if WESTERNINTHEPARK and Innisfree Lass take well to the larger obstacles at the first time of asking they could emerge as the chief protagonists. Preference is for the former, who acquitted himself well in a valuable novices' handicap hurdle at Sandown on his final run of last season and he brings a good deal of potential to the table. Imac Wood has race-fitness on his side and is best of the rest.