squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 2 | 1m 7f 199y | 9 Runners | Turf

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Matata²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 160| CD

Headstrong sort but developed into a very smart sort last season, winning over C&D in November prior to producing a high-class performance under top weight when landing 8-runner handicap at Windsor (2m) in January. Highly tried after and he's very much respected back in a handicap.

Form: 212133-

Unexpected Party^t¹⁸¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| CD

Smart sort won the 2024 Grand Annual at the Festival here 2 years ago and was a good second in the corresponding race last season. Ran as well as could've been expected in the Celebration Chase last time and market should prove best guide after 6 months off.

Form: 524225-

Brookie^t¹⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 149| D

Useful sort over hurdles and has advanced his form over fences, winning a pair of 2m handicaps and excellent second to Kalif Du Berlais when stepped up to Grade 1 level at Aintree in April. Maybe feeling effects of the season at Punchestown after and he remains on a workable mark back in a handicap.

Form: 173124-

Uncle Phil^h,t³²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: Chester Williams| OR: 145| D

Smart handicap chaser at his best for W. P. Mullins but offered little last season. Since changed hands for 14,000 gns and is potentially well handicapped on best form, for all he'll need to rediscover it.

Form: 150/P68-

Calico^p,t²⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| CD

Enhanced good record fresh when winning this race on his return last season and signed off for the first with a fine second in the Red Rum at Aintree, faring easily the best of those to come from rear. Leading contender.

Form: P13432-

Third Time Lucki^t¹¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| CD

Rejuvenated this summer by Fergal O'Brien, capitalising on a much-reduced mark at Bangor before following up at Uttoxeter in June. Still potentially well treated on his best form for all this is tougher company.

Form: 6505-11

Jasko Des Dames^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136

Quickly proved himself a better chaser than hurdler last season when winning at Wexford and Punchestown. Fifth in the Grand Annual at the Festival here later in the campaign and was a creditable second in a 13-runner handicap at Listowel last month. Respected with fitness on his side.

Form: 12550-2

Traprain Law^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 131| D

Had a good first season over fences in 2023/24, winning 2 of his 5 starts. Couldn't add to his tally last term but has been cut plenty of slack by the handicapper and shaped well when runner-up at Kelso on return. Not ruled out despite racing from out of the weights.

Form: 4437P-2

Dr T J Eckleburg¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 129| D

Better than ever last season, gaining his second 2m win at Chepstow in February. Set a lot to do when recording a good fifth of 14 in the Red Rum at Aintree and it's easy to overlook his most recent outing over hurdles, though a career best is probably needed here.

Form: 23215-0

Forecasts

Calico (11/4), Jasko Des Dames (7/2), Matata (4/1), Brookie (7/1), Traprain Law (8/1), Third Time Lucki (12/1), Uncle Phil (12/1), Unexpected Party (14/1), Dr T J Eckleburg (25/1)

CALICO is only 2 lb higher than when winning this race last season and Dan Skelton's charge can enhance his fine record fresh to make it back-to-back to wins in the contest. Front-runner Matata developed into a very smart chaser last season and has to be respected dropping back from Graded company, whilst Irish raider Jasko des Dames bumped into a well-treated sort at Listowel last month and completes the shortlist in an intriguing contest.