Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 4m 5.75s

Gino Trail^p1²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 140

11/10

Consistent handicap chaser at this trip/ on testing ground, though handicapper has just had his measure since a win at Haydock 11 months ago. Was entitled to need his comeback run at Exeter and now dropped to this mark, he has claims.

Form: 22216-3

Pain Au Chocolat¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 138

9/1

2m and soft/heavy ground certainly suits him and he is just 3lb higher than when scoring at Perth in April. However, he was last and beaten 35L on his return from just 1lb higher, so has a bit to prove on that evidence.

Form: P2501-8

Never Up³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 119

7/4

In good form over fences this year, winning twice at this sort of trip and then over 2m4f (heavy) at Carlisle last time. Up 4lb for that career-best and will probably need another one to follow up, but stable in good form and he is short-listed.

Form: 1143-21

Casual Cavalier^p²⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: B S Hughes| T: G Bewley| OR: 112

7/1

Won three times at around this trip when there was cut in the ground last season, though well held on his only run from this mark. A bit to prove on that basis and from 2lb 'wrong', but goes well fresh and not ruled out.

Form: 131123-

Forecasts

Gino Trail (11/10), Never Up (7/4), Casual Cavalier (7/1), Pain Au Chocolat (9/1)

Much depends on whether this is true run or not, but Danny Cook is renowned for his positive rides around here and if he does the same on NEVER UP then it could pay dividends. He does at least come into this with recent winning form, so despite possibly needing another career-best now dropped in trip, he looks a solid selection. Gino Trail has been held by the handicapper, though not by much, for some time now and is very much a danger from this mark if the cheek pieces work positively. Casual Cavalier has a few pounds to find but is not ruled out, though Pain Au Chocolat has a bit to prove.