totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 4m 16.1s

Katgary^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 139| D

10/3

His Perth win last June probably showed him in the best light although he did take advantage of a falling mark there. Not seen for nine months after that he showed up well when running a good second at Doncaster on his return and possibly failed to see out the longer trip last time at Ayr behind the useful but quirky Two Taffs. Mark is starting to get on the high side now and possibility that better ground would be just suit him more.

Form: P5/5124-

Theflyingportrait^t²³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 136| CD

9/1

C&D winner who was in sparkling form in 2016 winning six occasions (five over fences) and finished off the year with three consecutive wins all from the front in attacking style. Back from his winter break now and connections may well have been expecting better ground and he may face competition for the lead here off a career high mark.

Form: 114111-

Altruism³¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt| OR: 133| BF| CD

7/4

Can on occasions look a difficult ride (can pull hard and hang left) but clearly very capable around this course having racked up form figures of 11112. Only lost his unbeaten record here last time out when beaten by his stable mate Fantasy King due to a slipping saddle. This will only be his third chase start and despite his quirks he probably still has some improvement left in him off this mark as he returns from a long break. Usually goes from, the front and with Theflyingportrait set this up for one of the closers.

Form: P2U/112-

Vengeur De Guye^t⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| D

6/1

Not won since 2015 and given how well he often goes through his races has a poor conversion ratio often found wanting late on and has flattered only to deceive on more than one occasion. Did just that on his last start at Kelso and although this race should be run to suit it's not hard to see that scenario developing again.

Form: 620222-

Indian Voyage^t¹³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 123| D

12/1

His winning form has tended to come in patches with although his last victory came back in 2015 he has now slipped back below that last winning mark. Has looked as though he could be about to stage a revival based on his last few starts and he's now 4lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 543285-

Oliver's Gold¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 123| D

4/1

Tends to need better ground than this to operate on with his last win coming on much quicker ground at Market Rasen under today's rider off a 1lb lower mark. The run last time out is best forgotten as the saddle slipped but this grade is a little tougher and he's not looked a battler in the past.

Form: 233P1-P

Forecasts

Altruism (7/4), Katgary (10/3), Oliver's Gold (4/1), Vengeur De Guye (6/1), Theflyingportrait (9/1), Indian Voyage (12/1)

One thing looks for certain that this race will be run at a good pace with both Altruism and Theflyingportrait likely to be getting on with matters. Both are good jumpers and it should be quite a sight if they take one another on here although that may set the race up for one who is more patiently ridden like KATGARY. He ran well last time out at Ayr in a better race than this and has a stronger finish in his locker than the other closers like Venguer De Guye and Indian Voyage.