Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 6m 5.92s

Fine Rightly^h¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr B G Crawford⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 150

3/1

A very useful chaser (150 rated) who boasts a career record of five from 11 over fences. His last success came in a Grade 3 contest at Cork in March on Heavy ground, so further rain won't be an issue, and this is a whole different level to his last race in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Form: 4311-43

Bernardelli^b²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 133

11/1

A winner of five races (three over fences) and looked fully effective on deep ground when winning in a commanding manner (off 125) at Newcastle in December 2015. Also a winner off 132 at Ayr in February 2016, but higher marks beyond him since, with blinkers returning.

Form: P-3413P

De Vous A Moi²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 133

5/1

Most progressive during the 2015/16 campaign devouring the combination of fences and heavy ground at Wetherby and Newcastle. Yet to win over this trip and well held in both starts this season at Haydock including last time in the Tommy Whittle Chase.

Form: 12/211-6

Ash Park¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 132

9/2

In fine form over hurdles last spring, winning at Carlisle, Kelso, Cartmel and Hexham, so clearly versatile track wise. Twice a runner up on four starts over fences, but only third in a weaker race than this last time at Musselburgh. Also needs to prove himself over this extended 2m5f.

Form: U34124-

Final Assault²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130

5/1

Kept on when runner up at Ayr three starts back in October (2m4f on Good ground), but known to find little off the bridle, and well behind both Ash Park and Bernardelli last time at Newcastle. Little to think that form can be reversed, and even if it is, that still might not be good enough here.

Form: U54P-24

Spanish Fleet^p⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: B S Hughes| T: G Bewley| OR: 124

14/5

Ran up a sequence over hurdles at Carlisle in November 2014, but not able to recapture that form over timber from elevated marks thereafter. Placed on all three chase starts this winter (including at Carlisle), but all of those races came at two grades lower than this Class 2 race.

Form: 855-322

Non-Runners

Jet Master¹⁷

Weight: 10-3| Age: 11

T: N W Alexander J: Lucy Alexander

Forecasts

Spanish Fleet (14/5), Fine Rightly (3/1), Ash Park (9/2), De Vous A Moi (5/1), Final Assault (5/1), Bernardelli (11/1), Jet Master (12/1)

Class will so often prevail in these sort of races, and Stuart Crawford looks to have found the ideal race for FINE RIGHTLY to supplement two previous wins in Grade 3 company and improve his strike rate over fences to 50% (6 from 12). This contest is on a totally different level to his last race in the Lexus, with perhaps either Bernardelli or De Vous A Moi the main dangers. 1. Fine Rightly 2. Bernardelli 3. De Vous A Moi