racinguk.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 3m 58.33s

Just Cameron^t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 147

5/2

66/1 sixth behind Sprinter Sacre in last year's Champion Chase and was very game in defeat to well-backed stable companion over course and distance last time. Remains on the same mark here and entitled to go close if reproducing that latest effort.

Form: 2633-63

Grey Gold¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 144

5/2

4lb lower than latest win, which was on his first start for his current trainer in November 2015. Ran well from a mark of 153 in February of last year, and if able to put up that sort of effort would have strong claims. Approaching the twilight of his career, so a recent pipe-opener could prove beneficial.

Form: 1P236-5

Sew On Target^t³⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134

5/2

Last success came here 11 months ago from a 2lb higher mark, though good on board conditional negates that. Needs a test over this trip to be seen to best effect and has always needed a race or two to bring him to fever pitch, so December's Cheltenham outing is one for the plus column.

Form: 182-884

Raven's Tower²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: B Pauling| OR: 133

9/2

Good win at Aintree over this distance in November, but handicapper has had his measure in two subsequent starts. Drop back to this trip may help him take a hand.

Form: P55313

Rathlin^p,t¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 130

18/1

Grand old campaigner who has won seven of his 39 chases. Most of those successes have been over 2m 4f, though he proved that his still has the speed for this when scoring at Ayr in the spring. The handicapper provides him with his best chance since then. Goes on any ground.

Form: 7P1U-74

Non-Runners

Makethedifference³³

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: Tim Vaughan J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Just Cameron (5/2), Grey Gold (5/2), Sew On Target (5/2), Raven's Tower (9/2), Makethedifference (5/1), Rathlin (18/1)

The prize money has drawn a small but competitive field, with Grey Gold marginally preferred to Sew On Target. The former went well from 9lb higher last winter and should have blown off any cobwebs with a recent pipe-opener. The same can be said of Sew On Target. Colin Tizzard's charge knows how to win around here and provided this is run at a decent clip, he should be thereabouts. Just Cameron looks next best. 1. Grey Gold 2. Sew On Target 3. Just Cameron