TimeformBlog

Bold Ransom cashed in on drop in weights to nab 3½m handicap chase at Haydock in December, eased on the run-in. Well held when falling there since, even so has made his presence felt off similar marks before.

Do It For Dalkey was transformed by breathing operation to win back-to-back handicaps here, and made further progress when runner-up in a stronger race at Sandown since. Left on the same mark and a big player once again.

Victory Gunner is an admirable veteran who has won 4 of his 6 starts in the past 12 months, most recently a weak 4-runner Ffos Las handicap on Boxing Day. Fully effective under the conditions, but this is tougher.

Kellystown Lad is a point/hurdle winner who opened chasing account at Sedgefield (2½m) in November 2010. However, little impact thus far this season, and fact he bled last time has to be a slight worry.

Shaking Hands won at Warwick (3¼m) last season and good placed efforts up to 4m on first 2 starts this term. That said, tends to make mistakes (unseated first at Catterick last time), so does come with risks.

Heez A Steel is not always the most fluent of jumpers but thorough stayer (fifth in Scottish National last term) and not impossibly handicapped. Yet to complete in 3 runs this winter, though.

Beamazed has quickly made into better chaser than hurdler, running well when second at Market Rasen (25f) on return. Third but ridden when falling there last time, that following a previous unseat at Kelso.

My Boy Paddy bolted up in 3m heavy-ground novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in November 2010. Off over a year prior to jumping badly on chase bow in December, but is a point winner and still very early days.

Dove Hill won 25f novice hurdle here for Howard Johnson in late-2010, but jumped less than fluently in a maiden chase at Catterick last month and since run a shocker back over the smaller obstacles.

Vamizi's sole career win came nearly 2 years ago, and for all he's shown himself to be a fairly useful handicap chaser since, things cleary gone wrong last twice. Very much the stable second pick here.

Horsham Lad is a multiple point/hunter winner who made a seamless transition to handicaps with a ready success in 3m chase here in October. However, jumping let him down both starts since, which tempers enthusiasm.

Sandofthecolosseum is still awaiting first win but came as close as he ever has when second on return at Wetherby in November. Fair effort at Newbury following month and will relish this stamina test in the mud.

Overlady is a thorough stayer who shrugged off a 10-month absence on her first start for this yard when winning 25f handicap chase at Ayr in January. Came clear that day and revised mark doesn't look beyond her.

Royal Mackintosh very nearly took advantage of much-reduced mark when neck second to Rolecarr in 25f soft-ground handicap on return at Kelso. However, flopped behind Overlady since, plus 2 lb out of the weights.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Overlady
2. Do It For Dalkey
3. Bold Ransom

Timeform View: Overlady made a cracking start for this stable when pulling clear at Ayr last month and looks capable of going in again despite shifting back up in the weights. Do It For Dalkey is in the form of his life and represents a big danger, as does Bold Ransom if returning to the level which saw him stroll to success at Haydock in December.

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