Axe The Racing Tax Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 5m 37.0s

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Selected odds by:

Shadows In The Sky^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 110| D

9/4

Typically found improvement since joining James Owen, winning twice and placed 3 times from 8 starts for the yard this year. No great surprise that he struggled in a Class 2 handicap hurdle last month and this is more realistic back over fences, but others could be better treated.

Form: 21333P

Taxus Baccata¹⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: M Crawley| OR: 107

5/2

Irish point winner who left hurdles form well behind when making a winning chase debut at Plumpton (19.7f, good to soft) in March. Form subsequently dipped, but she will have every chance if able to bounce back following a break.

Form: 74125-5

Enjoy D'allen¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Lily Pinchin| T: N B King| OR: 105| D

15/2

Veteran on a losing run that stretches back to 2021 and well held in 5 runs for this yard (both hurdles and fences). Given a chance by the handicapper, but he's opposable all the same.

Form: 74-7544

Police Academy¹³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 104| D

9/2

Winner of Ludlow handicap hurdle off a 5 lb higher mark than this in October 2023 and she was first past the post in this sphere at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) when last seen in June (subsequently disqualified owing to a banned substance). Strong claims.

Form: 9256-5D

Catchim¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Todd| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 104

9/2

Made winning start under Rules in novice hurdle at Southwell in June 2024 and put his low-key chase debut behind him when second in a 2½m Haydock handicap during the spring. However, he was below par on recent return at Huntingdon and now finds himself with a bit to prove.

Form: 4P2-354

Forecasts

Shadows In The Sky (9/4), Taxus Baccata (5/2), Catchim (9/2), Police Academy (9/2), Enjoy D'allen (15/2)

The pick of these may well be POLICE ACADEMY, who was disqualified after crossing the line in front in a Uttoxeter handicap chase during the summer and she has another opportunity to officially open her account over fences off the same mark. Taxus Baccata needs to bounce back, but he'll be a big threat if able to do so, while Shadows In The Sky looks plenty high enough in the weights and the other two have a bit to prove at present.