David Whitaker Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 23.5s

1^st

Ballyben

911-6

7/2

T: J M JeffersonJ: B S Hughes

Jumped well, tracked leader, led 5th, made rest, clear from 2 out, easily op 9/2

2^nd

Arctic Gold

611-12

8/11f

T: N A Twiston-DaviesJ: Sam Twiston-Davies

Tracked leading pair, not fluent 3rd (water), 2nd soon after 4 out, chance next, ridden before next, beaten when mistake last tchd 4/6

3^rd

Carrigdhoun

1211-11

9/1

T: M A BarnesJ: Dale Irving (3)

Led until 5th, chased winner, reminders after 14th, lost 2nd soon after 4 out, kept on same pace in 3rd op 11/1

4^th

Urtheoneiwant

711-4

9/2

T: G ElliottJ: R Johnson

Always last, never on terms op 4/1

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Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£4.50EX:£8.20Trifecta:£17.70SF:£6.84

Forecasts

Arctic Gold (8/11), Ballyben (7/2), Urtheoneiwant (9/2), Carrigdhoun (9/1)

A difficult race despite the small field with Urtheoneiwant having the advantage of race fitness over her three rivals. However, whilst the Elliott and Johnson partnership should always be feared, she doesn't look the most consistent mare overall and perhaps a couple of the others have more potential. Arctic Gold will almost certainly win his share of races over fences with time, but he lacks the experience of BALLYBEN. The Malcolm Jefferson trained nine-year-old proved himself to be a fair Northern staying handicap chaser in the latter half of 2016, and despite a quiet time this calendar year so far, could prove sharp enough to score back from a summer break on ground which should suit.