JCB Fastrac Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 5m 5.3s

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Selected odds by:

Artic Row^p1,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 112| D

6/1

Successful 3 times at Ayr last season. Very mixed bag this campaign, failing to complete first 2 starts this autumn then back on track when placed at Newcastle/Ayr either side of the turn of the year. Needs to shrug off a couple of below-par efforts last month, however.

Form: UF3256

Captain Ivan^p,t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 109

10/3

Struck at the fourth time of asking for the Ewan Whillans yard when seeing off 4 rivals at Market Rasen (19f) in February and showed better form in defeat in when runner-up in a class 2 at Carlisle (15.9f, good to soft) last month. Big chance back down in class returned to 2½m.

Form: 4-75412

Catchim^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R T Dunne| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 107| D

6/1

Made frame all 5 completed starts in points and made a winning start under Rules in novice hurdle at Southwell last June. Found out under a penalty 6 months later when a well-held fourth at Market Rasen but shaped much better than result on recent chase bow. Not dismissed back down in trip.

Form: 423-14P

Red Hugh²³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: J Coulson| OR: 104

14/1

Point winner who made a promising start to his hurdle career last summer, landing 23f maiden at Worcester in July. Off 7 months but he brings some potential now chasing.

Form: 1/4-3317

The Paddy Pie³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 98| CD

7/2

C&D winner who arrives in fine heart having scored in 4 of his last 5 starts, latest a 8-runner handicap at Sedgefield (21.1f, good to soft) last month, deserving extra credit having had to switch approaching last. 4 lb rise is fair and he looks sure to go well again.

Form: U13111

Special Dragon^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 91

10/3

A fair 2m5f winner over hurdles who left the impression she'd come back from 5 months off in reasonable heart (had breathing operation) when fifth of 6 in handicap at Wetherby (15.2f, good) just over 3 weeks ago. Remains early days in this sphere and she should have more to offer.

Form: 21-28F5

Kings Justice^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Toby Wynne| T: S Allwood| OR: 84

9/1

Narrowly denied at Catterick in January and shaped as if back in form until a luckless late exit at Sedgefield (21.1f, good to soft) last month, likely to have finished in the frame. Dropped 1 lb for that effort and should give a good account provided he's none the worse.

Form: 2-4P25F

Forecasts

Captain Ivan (10/3), Special Dragon (10/3), The Paddy Pie (7/2), Catchim (6/1), Artic Row (6/1), Kings Justice (9/1), Red Hugh (14/1)

A tricky closing contest to solve despite the small field but preference is for CAPTAIN IVAN, who ran a cracker when runner-up in a series final at Carlisle last month and Ewan Whillans' 11-y-o looks sure to go well back down in grade. His main danger may emerge from fellow veteran The Paddy Pie, who arrives here in search of a fifth win from his last 6 starts. Sole-mare Special Dragon rounds off the shortlist.