15:50 Kempton

Sunday 22 October 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:5017:20

Smarter Bets With Matchbook Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 26.28s

Marracudja^h,t¹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

2/1

Won a couple of decent little races as a novice but form tailed off in a couple of small field events towards the back end of last season. Back on a handy mark and can go well fresh, so no forlorn hope despite top weight.

Form: 142P22-

Noche De Reyes⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 137

7/1

Progressive last season but now needs to raise his game once more. Stiff test from highest ever rating and very likely the handicapper now has his measure.

Form: 62-2216

Braavos²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134

12/1

4lb higher than hurdles rating and plenty to prove after being pulled up on debut over fences. Others look more likely to be involved when push comes to shove.

Form: 5P-231P

Pearls Legend¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: J L Spearing| OR: 129

8/1

Made nearly all to win at Plumpton on his penultimate start and showed a willing attitude in defeat latest. More to do in this company and unlikely to get things all his own way.

Form: 63471-2

Workbench^t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

8/1

Won over an extended 2m3f at Fontwell but not in the same frame of mind back at the same course latest. Possible the trip stretched him on that occasion but an 11lb hike was the more probable reason for a poor effort. Stiff test ahead.

Form: 23-4515

Back By Midnight^t²¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: James Banks| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 116| D

14/1

Made the most of a lenient mark to win last time out and is very capable on his day. Likes to make the running but very possible he'll be a sitting duck from what is now a career highest mark.

Form: 316441-

Oliver's Hill^b,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 116| D

6/1

Prone to the odd stinker but hard to crab his effort at Fontwell earlier in the month (Pearls Legend held on that piece of form). Handicapper taken no chances but feasible he can be in the shake-up if he can muster the same level of performance.

Form: 2P-5P21

Breath Of Blighty^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber| OR: 116| C

4/1

Won over an extended 2m4f at this course in April but not so good in two subsequent efforts. Recent blow-out will have helped to clear the tubes but he still has a bit to prove over a trip which may be his bare minimum these days.

Form: 84F1-64

Forecasts

Marracudja (2/1), Breath Of Blighty (4/1), Oliver's Hill (6/1), Noche De Reyes (7/1), Workbench (8/1), Pearls Legend (8/1), Braavos (12/1), Back By Midnight (14/1)

Top weight may not be enough to anchor MARRACUDJA, who is on a handy mark and may be the best of the bunch that likes to make the running. Oliver's Hill is a bit of a law unto himself but would be a big threat if repeating the level of form he showed to win at Fontwell last time out, while Back By Midnight also comes into the reckoning on the pick of his efforts but may not ideally appreciate being taken on for the lead.