15:55 Wincanton

Saturday 18 February 2017

All13:4014:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 4m 3.10s

Grey Gold²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 148

4/1

Veteran performer who relishes soft conditions and who advertised his present well-being with a gutsy success over 2m at Sandown earlier this month. Still feasibly-treated despite 4lb rise, another bold bid anticipated.

Form: 1P236-5

Croco Bay⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 143

16/1

Arguably more at home on better ground than this and has failed to sparkle since gaining the last of four chase wins at Worcester in the summer. Short break possibly to his advantage though.

Form: F5-410U

Doctor Phoenix^p1,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: David Dennis| OR: 140

9/1

Won back-to-back 2m handicaps (both soft) last season and far from disgraced off higher marks since, including when just touched off by Yorkist at Wetherby over Christmas. Didn't jump as well over a longer trip there last time but could easily get competitive.

Form: 71185-2

Pain Au Chocolat^h,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

5/1

Looked a promising novice last season, winning twice in rain softened conditions, but hasn't kicked on as expected. Outclassed by Politologue in a match over a longer trip at Kempton last time but this drop back to 2m should see him in a better light.

Form: 62P250

Gardefort²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 139

5/2

Still weighted 7lb higher than when notching the last of four chase wins at Wetherby just over a year ago, but encouraging signs in defeat the last twice. Easier ground here likely to play to his advantage too.

Form: P132F-U

Astre De La Cour²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 135

7/2

Three-time hurdles winner who got off the mark over fences by winning a weak race at Taunton on unseasonal fast ground in December. Gutsy effort when just touched off by Baby King on heavy ground over C&D subsequently, so bold bid on the cards despite a 5lb rise.

Form: 1/04-045

Somchine^h²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 132

10/1

Looked better than ever when winning for the fifth time over fences over C&D (soft) on Boxing Day but never competitive when pulled up over a longer trip at Wetherby subsequently. Questions to answer but shouldn't be ruled out.

Form: 3-32123

Non-Runners

Ut Majeur Aulmes⁶²

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: V R A Dartnall J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Gardefort (5/2), Astre De La Cour (7/2), Grey Gold (4/1), Pain Au Chocolat (5/1), Doctor Phoenix (9/1), Somchine (10/1), Ut Majeur Aulmes (10/1), Croco Bay (16/1)

It's not hard to make out a case for number of these on various form-lines, particularly Astre De La Cour who went close in a similar contest last time and Gardefort who will relish the return to an easier surface. Pain Au Chocolat should also be competitive but it may pay to remain on the right side of the veteran GREY GOLD who looked as good as ever when winning at Sandown recently and gets the added bonus of Barry Geraghty in the saddle. 1. Grey Gold 2. Astre De La Cour 3. Pain Au Chocolat