Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 5m 9.4s

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Selected odds by:

Tommy's Oscar¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 149

13/2

Smart chaser who signed off last season with success in premier handicap at Ayr. Has made the frame all 4 completed starts this season, running respectably when third back at Ayr (16.5f, good to soft) 12 days ago, and he can give another good account.

Form: 1-334U3

Doctor Ken¹⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 135| D

3/1

Took well to fences in 2022/23, winning 2 of his 3 starts. After 21 months off, shaped promisingly when second at Kempton (20.5f, good to soft) on latest outing in November and he's respected given his record fresh for last year's winning trainer/jockey.

Form: 42121/2

Heltenham^t⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

5/4

Landed back-to-back Newbury handicaps last March, including the Greatwood Gold Cup. Best effort of the current campaign when runner-up at Newton Abbot (21f, heavy) 5 days ago, despite doing too much too soon, and he could be ready to resume winning ways.

Form: 8F-84P2

Rexem³¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J C McConnell| OR: 132| D

40/1

Fairly useful hurdler and confirmed previous promise over fences when winning novices' handicap at Ludlow (20.1f, good) in October 2023. Possibly needed the run after 7 months off when well held at Punchestown in June last year, but he's been absent again since.

Form: 24217-0

Dubai Days^h,t⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 127| D

17/2

Ended last term in top form and has continued in good heart in 3 veterans' handicaps this season, making a winning return at Haydock (19.9f, good to soft) in February. Hampered when unseating at the same course 5 days ago, so he could be in the mix.

Form: 212-12U

Walk On Quest^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| D

11/2

Much improved since switched to fences, completing a 4-timer in 5-runner handicap at Kelso (21.6f, good to soft) in March. Subsequent Uttoxeter run was too bad to be true and it'd be no great surprise to see him bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 21111P

Non-Runners

Statuario¹³

Weight: 10-6| Age: 10

T: P & M Bowen J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Heltenham (5/4), Doctor Ken (3/1), Walk On Quest (11/2), Tommy's Oscar (13/2), Statuario (8/1), Dubai Days (17/2), Rexem (40/1)

After 8 weeks off, HELTENHAM shaped well under an attacking ride when second at Newton Abbot 5 days ago and he is taken to go one better from 2 lb below his last winning mark. He can see off the challenge of Doctor Ken, who goes very well fresh and could still have more to offer as a chaser, while Walk On Quest is worth another chance given the promising start he made over fences.