'Hopefully she can go one better' - Alexander takes aim with Chanting Hill

Tuesday: 3.15 Catterick
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Two of the last three winners of this race are back to try and repeat their victories and that includes last year’s hero William Of Orange, who is just 2lb higher than 12 months ago.

However, his recent form figures contain more letters than numbers and he has been pulled up on his last four starts in a row. He was in much better shape last year, when he came into the race after a good third at Musselburgh, and it takes a leap of faith to support him again.

Justforjames won the race three years ago and is now 12lb lower. The problem is there is another big number by his name and that is his age. At 13 years old, he is the eldest in the field, but he loves it here and has returned to form with thirds at the track on his last two runs.

Expect another big run from the old boy, but it’s likely that he will come up short and a new name is added to the roll of honour as there are several younger, unexposed horses lining up.

The novices Frisco Bay and Brother Pat come into that category. At seven years old, they are almost half the age of Justforjames and continue to make their way up through the ranks.

Topweight Brother Pat won twice at the end of last year, but his progress appeared to have stalled when he was third at Market Rasen in the Lincolnshire National over Christmas and maybe Frisco Bay has more upside for the Jonjo O’Neill yard, which has a 19 per cent strike-rate (5-27) here over the last five seasons.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Mark Walford, trainer of William Of Orange and Event Of Sivola
William Of Orange won the race last year but has lost his way a little since then having gone up in the handicap. We feel he’s coming back to form, however. Event Of Sivola is being aimed for another crack at the final of this series at Carlisle in which he finished second a year ago. He had a spin over hurdles last time to put him right for this and he may well be able to nick a place.

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Frisco Bay
He could run a big race on his best form but hasn’t been the most reliable in recent outings. He’d have an each-way squeak.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Chanting Hill
It was only a small field when she was beaten there last time but she still ran well in defeat and hopefully she can go one better. We’re going back to the same course and distance and whilst Henry Brooke is smashed up we’ve a decent replacement rider in the shape of Danny McMenamin.
Reporting by David Milnes

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