Seventeen have been declared for tomorrow's renewal of the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (3.15 Doncaster) - previously known (for a while, anyway) as the Sky Bet Handicap Chase; the going on the chase track at Donny is currently described as good to soft, good in places.
There have been some big-priced winners of this race in recent years:
Takingrisks, 40/1 in 2021
Windsor Avenue, 40/1 in 2022
Cooper's Cross, 16/1 in 2023
Annual Invictus, 16/1 in 2024
Last year Forward Plan just failed to collar front-running Annual Invictus, with Charlie Uberalles third, Erne River fifth and Famous Bridge eventually pulled up following a significant error at the third.
Forward Plan, Charlie Uberalles and Erne River have all shown a liking for this track, as have Docpickedme and Raffle Ticket.
Young Buster ran well behind Egbert in the three mile novice chase at this meet last year, losing second spot to Snipe after Paddy Brennan dropped his hands on Fergal O'Brien's charge in the shadow of the post.
It's no surprise to see The Changing Man and Forward Plan at the head of the market.
The Changing Man has still to win a race over fences in eight starts.
Joe Tizzard's charge ran with credit behind Frero Banbou in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle at the end of November; he was raised five pounds for that effort and another two after finishing second to Victtoriono at Ascot just before Christmas. Should he win here, I don't think anyone would begrudge connections their moment in the sunshine.
Forward Plan raced off 129 when beaten a nose last year with Ben Godfrey claiming three. He goes off 138 tomorrow with Chad Bament claiming ten so, in effect, is on a mark just two pounds higher.
Truth is, I've always held a slight reservation about this horse after this quote from handler Anthony Honeyball [RP Weekender 23-27.11.22]:
"His trouble is that he tends to jump nine out of ten fences like an old pro and then really balls one up."
Still, the horse won the Coral Trophy at Kempton last February (Bowtogreatness third) despite a number of jumping errors...
Charlie Uberalles beat Docpickedme and Forward Plan over course and distance in December when racing from three pounds out of the handicap; he's effectively four pounds higher tomorrow.
Snipe's second behind Val Dancer at Carlisle last time looks decent form as the winner subsequently added victory in the Welsh Grand National to his list of achievements.
Emma Lavelle has her string in excellent form - 5 wins from 18 runs in the past fortnight (28% strike rate) - and Tightenourbelts comes into this on the back of wins at Exeter (where he beat Beachcomber) and Ludlow. He jumped well at Ludlow but could be vulnerable off a mark of 140.
Frero Banbou proved he stayed the trip by winning the Rehearsal but that looked a hard enough race; he was prominent in a Kempton handicap over Christmas before finishing 10 lengths adrift of Beachcomber.
Famous Bridge had a slog in the Haydock mud last time when just clinging on to third in the Tommy Whittle while Idalko Bihoue's profile appears inconsistent and grey mare Sine Nomine has been contesting hunter chases for the most part.
Bowtogreatness, owned by Harry Redknapp and trainer's wife Sophie Pauling, was impressive when making all to beat Destroytheevidence in a novice chase at Newbury in November but didn't appear to appreciate being pestered up front in the Rehearsal where he was pulled up before two out. Just two pounds higher than his last winning mark, he's unlikely to get his own way up front - connections fit cheekpieces for the first time.
Arizona Cardinal is better with more cut underfoot - the Topham at Aintree is a likely target.
Walking On Air has been out of form so far this term and holds an alternative entry in the 12.40 at Cheltenham.
Docpickedme hinted at a return to form in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter before running a stormer behind Charlie Uberalles over course and distance six weeks ago; on revised terms, there's little between the pair.
Young Buster doesn't have a lot of miles on the clock and would be entitled to improve on his seasonal debut behind Elvis Mail at Kelso but he has been weak in the market today.
Ten-year-old Erne River has shown his best form at Doncaster.
On his penultimate start, sporting first-time blinkers, he raced wide in fourth before appearing a tad unfortunate to lose his footing at the twelfth, giving five pound claimer Tom Broughton no chance.
The pair were reunited in a hurdle race at the track over Christmas where they finished fourth behind Super Survivor. Fifth in this race last year off 137, beaten just under seven lengths, Erne River goes off 131 tomorrow - and with Tom Broughton's five pound claim he's effectively 11 pounds better off.
Raffle Ticket tries this trip for the first time while most of Sure Touch's form is over a shorter distance.
A very competitive renewal - it's possible to make a case for a number in the field.
As the tapes go up, there will be the customary dash to secure a prominent early position.
Of those that have run well at the track previously, Erne River looks well treated but the unseating in first-time blinkers is unsettling.
Nick Kent's charge had been taken wide on the first circuit that day but the mistake at the twelfth came when he was racing in amongst horses. Next time out in the hurdle race he was settled on the inside rail but in a small field of just six.
Snipe looks one of the more solid options but is priced accordingly so I'll take the chance and hope the blinkers prove more of a help than a hindrance - Erne River is the each-way suggestion, 16/1 with several layers at the time of writing, all of whom pay five places.