totepool Scottish Champion Chase (Handicap)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 3m 52.1s

Baltimore Rock^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 141

6/4

Useful hurdler who landed the Imperial Cup at Sandown in 2014 for David Pipe, and made a winning chasing debut for that same trainer at Doncaster in December 2015 before moving onto Neil Mulholland. Outclassed in the Arkle and at Punchestown (by Douvan) thereafter, he's had a quieter campaign this season. Highly tried, it's hard to gauge his ability over fences, and this is his easiest test in a while, but on the whole he remains unconvincing for this trainer.

Form: 73/12F-4

San Benedeto^p,t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140

2/1

A reliable dual winner over fences (Sedgefield and Worcester), he's largely been kept away from the strongest contests by his trainer, and this is probably about his level. A drop to this trip over fences might be a concern, but he has won at 2m over hurdles, and he should handle the rain if it arrives.

Form: U31111

Solar Impulse³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jake Greenall| T: C N Kellett| OR: 140

12/1

A decisive 28/1 winner of the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2016 for previous trainer Paul Nicholls who ended the season as an outsider in much tougher Listed and Grade 1 contests. Moved on over the summer for £50,000 his start for Chris Kellett has been a slow one. Needs to bounce back soon from his last winning mark (140) or risk being seen as an expensive under-performing purchase.

Form: 99P300-

Witness In Court³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 137

7/1

C&D novice chase winner (January 2014) who likes to race prominently but has in truth shown little of note since winning over 2m 3f at Stratford in the summer. He should be competitive off this mark (137) but needs to produce more when the going gets tough at the business end of the race.

Form: 6U5208-

Fair Loch²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 127

5/1

His last success over hurdles came in a seller at Catterick, but he did well to win on his first chasing start for Brian Ellison (second experience of fences overall) at Ayr in October. Has found life tough off a 10lb higher mark since, and this contest is much stronger, so others preferred.

Form: 9/14342-

Non-Runners

Indian Temple⁷¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: T Reed J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Baltimore Rock (6/4), San Benedeto (2/1), Fair Loch (5/1), Witness In Court (7/1), Solar Impulse (12/1), Indian Temple (25/1)

This is a rather disappointing turnout for such a valuable prize, with the majority of these having some questions to answer. Solar Impulse is beginning to look like an expensive purchase on what he has shown so far for new trainer Chris Kellett, but undoubtedly from the same mark as he landed the Grand Annual from in March (140) he'll take some stopping if revived; but that's an almighty if. Similar comments apply to Baltimore Rock who ought to be capable of more based upon his best form in the past, whilst San Benedeto isn't exactly top billing down at Ditcheat. A chance is taken that the more reliable INDIAN TEMPLE can get loose off the front end after shaking off Witness in Court, and with stamina fully proven can lead this under-performing sextet home over this shorter trip of 2 miles. 1. Indian Temple 2. San Benedeto 3. Baltimore Rock