Duralock Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 32.4s

Strumble Head^b¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen⁽¹⁰⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| C

8/1

Veteran that's in decent nick at the moment, winning at Newton Abbot and then kept trying to finish a not-too-distant fifth at Market Rasen last time. This trip looks a bare minimum for him and he faces competition for the lead. Tough task.

Form: V4-7715

Fort Gabriel^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 112| BF| D

9/2

Likes to front run and his bold, accurate jumping was a feature of his three wins this summer. Winning run came to an end last time but soft ground a legitimate excuse, so may bounce back here.

Form: 7-41114

Scripturient^b,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathan Moore⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 110| CD

6/1

Won over C&D in July with any amount in hand (very well backed to do so) but couldn't follow that up at Sligo last time, although soft ground possibly to blame. Clearly neither track nor trip holds any terrors so has to be considered again.

Form: 0-76816

Wade Harper^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: David Dennis| OR: 110

5/2

Ran a little better last time when the cheekpieces were removed (off again here) but the bottom line is that he's not progressing over fences as might have been expected. Will like the good pace set though, and may hit the frame again.

Form: 52523-2

Florida Calling^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 108

10/3

Another that likes to bowl along in front, often well backed but devilishly hard to win with. Ran to form when second at Perth last time but can drop the lot if not getting his own way, and faces plenty of competition for the lead here.

Form: P2/PP-22

Jonagold^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 103

9/1

Looked like he was on the way back when second at Ffos Las in June but two subsequent efforts have left plenty to be desired. Yard in no great form either, and may have to wait until another day to shed his maiden tag.

Form: 75-2224

Kilcascan^p²¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-1| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 85| CD

25/1

Grand old stick that wins in his turn, tends to front run but has given up the ghost a bit quickly in recent starts. Maybe age starting to catch up with him but likely conditions fine and he will give it his best shot.

Form: 13945-6

Forecasts

Wade Harper (5/2), Florida Calling (10/3), Fort Gabriel (9/2), Scripturient (6/1), Strumble Head (8/1), Jonagold (9/1), Kilcascan (25/1)

Only seven runners but no shortage of pace on, and this could fall to something ridden with a bit more restraint. On that score, SCRIPTURIENT fits the bill, having been an easy C&D winner here in July when he tracked the pace and came through late to win easily. Similar tactics are likely to be employed here and he can beat Fort Gabriel, who may be able to see the other front runners off with some good leaps early in the contest, with the frustrating Wade Harper for third.