Can recent course-and-distance winner strike again in this Listed chase?

Friday: 3.50 Wetherby
Cash Out At bet365 Handicap Chase (Listed) | 2m3½f | 4yo+ | RTV

There aren't many better punting opportunities than this all week. Bookmakers are generally going 5-1 the field for this 11-runner handicap chase, which features a group of lightly raced improvers ready to make their mark at the next level. Find the winner and you will be richly rewarded.

The recent roll of honour proves that this Listed contest can be used as a stepping stone towards the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December.

Six out of the last ten winners of this race were returning from a break of 150 days or longer (538 days in the case of Huntsman Son last year) but race fitness is never a negative.

Recent form is brought to the table by Whoshotthesheriff, who recorded a clear career-best performance over this course and distance just 16 days ago. An excellent leap at the last fence secured victory after he briefly looked vulnerable (traded at a high of 9-1 in-running) in the home straight.

Whoshotthesheriff: course-and-distance winner 16 days agoCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A reproduction of his 146 RPR would be good enough to win an average running of this race in the last decade (145.6 RPR). Topweight Magic Saint, The Big Bite and Good Boy Bobby have all exceeded that rating in their career, by some considerable margin.

Good Boy Bobby achieved an RPR of 157 when he finished second to Mister Fisher at Cheltenham in 2019 and although he is winless in his last seven starts, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained chaser has largely plied his trade at higher levels and possesses an excellent record when fresh.

French recruit Laskalin, who ran home seventh in a Grade 3 at Pau in January, and Eclair D'Ainay are progressive types and are sure to attract support. The latter will need to jump better than he did last year to win, though.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Henry Oliver, trainer of The Big Bite
He has had a similar preparation to this time last year and wouldn’t be far off where he was before winning at Aintree. Johnny [Burke] schooled him last week and he jumped lovely. He goes well fresh and this trip around Wetherby for a first start of the season will be absolutely ideal, although we have it in our minds to try him over further this season.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Whoshotthesheriff
It's very competitive but he goes there with every chance. He didn't do a lot wrong there the other day [when winning the Bobby Renton] and is in good order after coming out of the race really well. He would prefer decent ground again.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Good Boy Bobby
He had a good summer and is in really good form after a bit of time off. There's some rain forecast and the more they get, the better for him.

Nick Williams, trainer of Galahad Quest
He's only had three races over fences and is very inexperienced. He ran in small fields on his last two starts at Haydock and this is a different ball game altogether, going up against seasoned handicappers. It's a strong race but there aren't many opportunities for him.

John Mackie, trainer of Barton Knoll
He's a big, gross horse who'll probably need his first run of the season but we have to start somewhere. It's a very competitive race, but 10st is a good racing weight to start on. He wouldn't want it if it came up soft.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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