Howden Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 4m 12.2s

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Selected odds by:

Mount Tempest¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

12/1

Built on solid reappearance fourth of 15 at Bangor when striking at Sandown in December, winning with more in hand than the margin of victory would suggest. Completely misfired over the same C&D recently but the fact that he's turning out again just 15 days later suggests that all is well.

Form: P42-414

The Famous Five¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| CD

5/4

Dual winner over hurdles and confirmed promise of his chasing debut when winning a 5-runner C&D handicap duing the Christmas period. Bounced back from a below-par Haydock effort when finding just one too good at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) last time and strong claims off the same mark here.

Form: 1-73152

Rath Gaul Hill^t³¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 118| CD

9/2

Arrives on a hat-trick having scored over C&D and at Ayr (16.5f, soft) on final 2 starts of last season. 4 lb rise for latest success fair enough and likely to pose a significant threat to his 4 rivals, provided he is ready to roll following a 10-month absence.

Form: 54P211-

Duhallow Tommy²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 115| BF

9/4

Proved to be a different proposition switched to fences following a wind op last term, winning 3 times (at up to 19.8f, all at Plumpton). Performed with credit in both starts this term and looks sure to make his presence felt again here.

Form: 129-322

Ballybreeze⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 110| D

10/1

Made winning start over fences at Chepstow in October 2022 but lightly-raced and well below par since, pulled up in the C&D contest won by The Famous Five on latest start in December. Yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Rath Gaul Hill.

Form: 17F/U-9P

Forecasts

The Famous Five (5/4), Duhallow Tommy (9/4), Rath Gaul Hill (9/2), Ballybreeze (10/1), Mount Tempest (12/1)

THE FAMOUS FIVE remains just 2 lb above the mark off which he landed a C&D handicap over Christmas and the 7-y-o is taken to resume winning ways on the back of a creditable second at Chepstow last time. Duhallow Tommy has resumed with a couple of solid efforts in defeat this season and looks sure to be in the thick of things once again, while Rath Gaul Hill will be a player if fully tuned-up and top-weight Mount Tempest is also feared, despite a decidedly sluggish display at Sandown recently.