3 R D RA C E 2 . 40 PM The Cash Is King In The Ring

Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4)

TWO MILES ABOUT SIX AND A HALF FURLONGS (2m 6f 125yds) for five yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £8650

Owners Prize Money Winner £3494; Second £1746; Third £874; Fourth £437; Fifth £218. (Penalty Value £4568.06)

SEE PAGE 30 FOR CONDITIONS OF THIS RACE.

1 GO STEADY (GB) (16)

B g Indian Danehill (IRE) - Pyleigh Lady

O Popham, Rogers

T Dan Skelton, Alcester

3-41336 11 12 0

Br Mrs H. Pudd

S Ladbrokes,TheAirAmbulanceService(Warwickshire&Northamptonshire)

YELLOW, BLACK epaulets, BLACK and YELLOW check sleeves, RED cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Back to winning ways in a 2 1/2m veterans’ event at Lingfield in December Placed next 2 starts but put firmly in his place at Kempton recently and, though eased 2lb and down in class here, he looks vulnerable Cheekpieces refitted Star RatingHHHII

2 WHYDAH GALLY (GB) (32)

B g Black Sam Bellamy (IRE) - Reverse Swing

1F1-2P4

O Sam’s Crew Br Grace & Samuel Hockenhull

T Joe Tizzard, Sherborne S Coral Racing Limited

ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN epaulets, WHITE cap.

7 11 11

TIMEFORM VIEW Front-runner who bagged a Wincanton handicap and Fontwell novice over hurdles last season. However, he hasn’t made much of an impact in 3 starts since switched to fences

3 NATIVE ROBIN (IRE) (41)

Br g Robin des Pres (FR) - Homebird (IRE)

14-0043

O Mr P. Moore Br Barry O’Connor

T Jeremy Scott, Dulverton S Brendon Powerwashers MAROON, WHITE armlets, BLACK cap.

13 11 10

TIMEFORM VIEW Veteran who enjoyed a highly productive 2021/22 campaign, winning 4 of his half a dozen starts Well below par so far this season but the handicapper has reacted accordingly and he’s not completely ruled out now eased in class Star RatingHHHII

4 RAKHINE STATE (IRE) (66)

B g Arakan (USA) - Oiselina (FR)

114

30/61-33 C 10 11 9

O Mr Adam Lucock Br Bluegate Stud

T D. J. Jeffreys, Hinton-On-The-Green

PURPLE, YELLOW star, armlets and stars on cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Three-time winner over hurdles for Gordon Elliott and gained first success for current yard in handicap at Worcester in summer 2021. Placed both runs in this sphere since returning from a lengthy absence in November but needs to sharpen up his jumping. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 113 JORDAN NAILOR

5 RESERVE TANK (IRE) (20)

B g Jeremy (USA) - Lady Bellamy (IRE)

O Mr Roddy Owen

T Peter Bowen, Haverfordwest

3-3PP40 9 11 8

Br Mr L. Dunne

S Foodnet Ltd

WHITE, RED chevron, EMERALD GREEN and RED striped sleeves, RED cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Inconsistent sort who is winless since 2019. Blinkers refitted here and he’s lurking on a very dangerous mark nowadays but hardly shaped as though a revival is imminent at Taunton last time Star RatingHHIII Official BHA Rating 112 SEAN BOWEN

6 ANIMAL (IRE) (44)

B g Arcadio (GER) - Fantine (IRE)

O James Rimmer & Chris Ames

T Suzy Smith, Littlehampton

13-6330 7 11 4

Br Ms Ciara Browne

S Tote

ROYAL BLUE, WHITE Cross of Lorraine, DARK BLUE sleeves.

TIMEFORM VIEW Opened chase account from 3lb lower mark at Fakenham last January and creditable placed efforts on 3 of his 5 subsequent starts Completely misfired last time but it would be no surprise were he to bounce back with a bold show. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 28/1/2023 it was reported that the horse resented the tacky ground Star RatingHHHHI Official BHA Rating 108 LIAM

(3)

7 ICAQUE DE L’ISLE (FR) (36) 413323 5 11 1

B g Free Port Lux - Quetsche de L’Isle (FR)

O Harper Girls

T Richard Bandey, Kingsclere

Br Mme Veronique Sayet

S Tote

PURPLE, MAUVE chevron and armlets, MAUVE and PURPLE quartered cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Chase winner over 2 1/4m in France and, though well held when sent off favourite for British debut in November, he has since performed with credit in handicaps at Huntingdon (2 1/2m) and Hereford (21f). Definite chance if his stamina holds out back up in trip here. Star RatingHHHHH Official BHA Rating 109 HARRY BANNISTER

Number of Declared Runners 7 (Exacta)

Blinkers worn by No. 5. Tongue Strap worn by No. 1, 7. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1. T

2022: ESPRIT DE SOMOZA (FR) 8 11 3 Chester Williams 7-1 (Mrs Jane Williams) 10 ran

BETTING FORECAST:

5-2 Icaque de L’Isle (FR), 10-3 Animal (IRE), 9-2 Go Steady (GB), 15-2 Rakhine State (IRE), 10-1 Native Robin (IRE), 12-1 Reserve Tank (IRE), 25-1 Whydah Gally (GB)

RACE SUMMARY:

ICAQUE DE L’ISLE appeared to find 3m on soft ground too much of a test on debut for present connections but he has peformed with credit both starts since and there has to be a good chance that his stamina will pass the test over this intermediate trip round here. If that proves to be the case, he could be the answer to this trappy-looking contest. Native Robin and Reserve Tank would both be thrown in off their current marks if able to stage a revival but, as things stand, Animal is feared most.

1-2-3:

1.ICAQUE DE L’ISLE (FR) 2.ANIMAL (IRE) 3.NATIVE ROBIN (IRE)

H

E St Ra Tf Or D

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