Kauto The King Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 4.89s

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Selected odds by:

Hang In There²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 155| CD

9/1

Veteran who scored off this mark at Uttoxeter last summer. Well held in graded events at Cheltenham since returning from a break in March but sights now lowered and he's not ruled out with Harry Cobden in the hot-seat.

Form: 1324P9-

Light N Strike¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 135

7/4

Lightly-raced since scoring at Warwick in May 2023 and has returned to form the last twice. latterly finishing a clear second at Chepstow (19.4f, good to firm). Likely to be on the premises once again.

Form: 2/P6P32-

Mayhem Mya⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: C Honour| OR: 130

6/1

Hurdles winner at Exeter in December and has performed with credit back in this sphere on 2 of his last 3 starts, most recently finishing fourth in a 9-runner mares' Grade 2 at the Cheltenham Festival (20.6f, good to soft). However, she's gone up 7 lb for that and may find one or two too good.

Form: PU1264-

Yes Indeed²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 126| C

3/1

Winner of a listed chase in France back in 2021 and has improved for new yard since returning from an 8-month break in March, landing handicap chases at Stratford and this course (both at around 2m). Step back up in trip shouldn't be an issue and he's respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 48/4P11-

Bourbali¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126| D

10/3

Both wins over fences gained at Kempton, including when making all over 2¼m on return in October. Remained in good form since (latest effort at Chepstow can be overlooked) but he nevertheless looks vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 133345-

Spyglass Hill^p,t¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: F Brennan| OR: 125

28/1

Useful chaser in his pomp for Henry de Bromhead and proved that plenty of ability remains on second start for this yard when runner-up at Exeter in March. Didn't get very far at Haydock since (suffered an early tack issue and unseated rider at the first fence) and his jumping is an area of concern.

Form: 31P/P2U-

Non-Runners

Heltenham¹³

Weight: 11-1| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Excello³³

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Light N Strike (7/4), Heltenham (2/1), Yes Indeed (3/1), Bourbali (10/3), Excello (4/1), Mayhem Mya (6/1), Hang In There (9/1), Spyglass Hill (28/1)

It could be worth siding with EXCELLO, who was still in with a chance when hitting the second-last in the valuable Topham at the big Aintree meeting last month and he's on an attractive mark. Heltenham is feared greatly on the back of his facile Perth success and cases can also be made for Light N Strike and the hat-trick seeking Yes Indeed.