NJS Group Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 6m 46.7s

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Selected odds by:

Hobb's Delight^p³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95| BF| C

7/2

Winless this term but he's in good form, badly hampered 3 out when sixth in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) 37 days ago. A likely player eased 1 lb.

Form: 228426

Leading Swoop^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 89| BF

11/4

Blinkers replaced usual cheekpieces when a good second of 10 in handicap chase here (21.6f, heavy) 22 days ago. Can make his presence felt once more in his bid for a maiden victory.

Form: P8-3232

Getupearly⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 83WS

11/4

Remains a maiden after 16 runs but he posted a respectable fifth of 10 in handicap chase at Taunton (26.3f, good to soft) in December. Has since had a wind op and needs considering off a 3 lb lower mark.

Form: 322U35

Ultra Viers^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: P Taylor| OR: 83

28/1

Remains a maiden after 16 runs and he came in last of 5 in handicap chase at Leicester (20.1f, heavy) 20 days ago. Up in trip with work to do.

Form: D26-6P5

Nordic Storm^p,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 82

17/2

Little form over hurdles and he came in a well-held seventh of 10 in handicap at Hereford (25.2f, good to soft) on his fencing debut 33 days ago. Hard to warm to.

Form: 76-7497

Delgany Monarch^p1⁹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: N F Houlihan| T: R Rowe| OR: 78| D

20/1

Scored at Plumpton in spring, 2023, but he has largely struggled since, only ninth of 11 in handicap chase at Lingfield (23.5f, soft) 98 days ago. Cheekpieces are reached for now.

Form: 6U37-P9

Elpologreg²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 68

4/1

Arrives in decent form this season without getting his head in front, third of 10 in handicap chase here (21.6f, heavy) 22 days ago. Back up in trip and not dismissed.

Form: 76P623

Non-Runners

Heaven Smart²⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: G & J Moore J: Freddie Mitchell

Forecasts

Leading Swoop (11/4), Getupearly (11/4), Hobb's Delight (7/2), Elpologreg (4/1), Heaven Smart (13/2), Nordic Storm (17/2), Delgany Monarch (20/1), Ultra Viers (28/1)

A tight-knit handicap in which marginal preference is for the reliable HOBB'S DELIGHT who didn't enjoy the rub of the green when sixth at Uttoxeter last time and can capitalise on a 1 lb lower mark here to gain a deserved first win of the season. In-form maiden Leading Swoop heads the list of dangers, although Getupearly and Elpologreg can both have a say too.