Never Say Die IPA Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:11 | Winning time: 5m 30.67s

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Selected odds by:

Mahons Glory¹⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 138| D

4/1

Ended his time with Patrick Neville out of sorts but, having been picked up very cheaply, proved at least as good as ever for this year with a brace of wins in March. Signed off with excellent second at Sandown and he's gone well fresh in the past.

Form: 4P7112-

El Rio²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 135| BF| D

11/4

Different proposition over fences last season, winning 3 of 5 starts at up to 20.5f. Likeable front runner and capable fresh, he's a major player on reappearance.

Form: P/11313-

Champagne Gold^p³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 131| D

5/1

Useful hurdler/chaser for Henry de Bromhead earlier in his career and cast aside a brace of heavy defeats for this yard in no uncertain terms when springing a surprise at Cartmel (21.2f) in August. Task is to now back that up.

Form: 558/341

Frere d'Armes¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

20/1

Back to winning ways in hunter chase at Stratford in May but handed a stiff mark back in a regulation handicap and he struggled at Worcester 12 days ago. Cheekpieces still off.

Form: 230-819

Coastguard Station^p³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 123

85/40

Resumed winning ways at Ascot (16.7f) in March. Shade disappointing at Newton Abbot last month and back up markedly in trip here. Is on that successful mark, at least.

Form: 616-344

Time To Bite^b³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 122| D

15/2

Recorded fifth success over fences this year with another dominant front-running success at Newton Abbot last month. 10 lb rise forces him into a much better race here, though.

Form: 5-1F211

Non-Runners

Jet Plane¹²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Coastguard Station (85/40), El Rio (11/4), Mahons Glory (4/1), Champagne Gold (5/1), Jet Plane (13/2), Time To Bite (15/2), Frere d'Armes (20/1)

EL RIO came of age over fences last season and given the yard he represents, he's sure to be well prepared for this return from 6 months off. There's probably going to be competition for the lead but he's the most persuasive option, ahead of Mahons Glory and Jet Plane.