14:50 Leicester

Sunday 3 December 2017

All12:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:20

Cossington Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 6.85s

Kilronan Castle^p1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102| BF

13/2

Hasn't managed to reach the same levels over fences that he managed over hurdles, latest effort at Kelso (2m7½f, good) was a sideways step. Cheekpieces added now.

Form: 33P2-69

Bally Lagan^v³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 100| CD

11/2

Won three-times on the spin last season at up to 2m4f, reappearance effort at Warwick (2m4f, good) showed this mark isn't beyond his limit but underwhelming effort at Ludlow in October raises doubts.

Form: 11P-625

Grand Coureur^p³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 97

4/1

Remains a maiden but lightly-raced and was having just his second start over fences when second at Ludlow last time out (2m4f, good) in ten-runner amateurs' event. Player here if building on that run.

Form: 28-5402

Tower Of Allen^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 96

6/1

Ex-Nicky Henderson inmate, shaped as if in need of the run on first start for this yard at Market Rasen last month. Bit to find on form but not one to rule out entirely.

Form: 2698-53

Fingers Crossed^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber| OR: 94| C

5/1

Seven starts over fences now, still prone to the jumping lapse. Was a moderate third of seven over 2m at Ludlow on reappearance 17 days ago, perhaps needing the outing. Has twice made the frame in this sphere.

Form: 6282-43

Remember Forever¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe| OR: 93| BF| D

9/2

Ended last term with Fontwell and Plumpton successes over fences on good/good to firm ground over this sort of trip. Not harshly treated (2lb above previous win mark) and likely decent ground could see him in better light on third start back.

Form: PU11-45

Finnegan's Garden¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: T E Whelan| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 76| CD

8/1

For a low-level handicapper, can travel well in his races and came good at Leicester in March, although had to be kept right up to his work in the end. Yard going well, and conditions fine, so another with chances in an open race if ready to go.

Form: 4/P631-5

Larkhall¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 73| CD

12/1

Most recent victory came over C&D on good to firm ground in November 2015 off a rating of 74. Often gone with credit since, though four runs since latest break not overly encouraging and likely to find at least one more determined in the finish.

Form: 247335

Forecasts

Grand Coureur (4/1), Remember Forever (9/2), Fingers Crossed (5/1), Bally Lagan (11/2), Tower Of Allen (6/1), Kilronan Castle (13/2), Finnegan's Garden (8/1), Larkhall (12/1)

It would be dangerous to rule out any of this field. Bally Lagan was in super form in the spring and returned with a pleasing run at Warwick, though he's since blotted the copybook at Ludlow. Grand Coureur on the other hand is open to doing better having finished second at the venue last time on just his second chase start while Finnegan's Garden and Fingers Crossed hold valid place claims. A chance is taken on this likely better surface bringing out the best in REMEMBER FOREVER, who has shaped well enough for a long way in both starts since coming back in on more testing ground. He ended last season with back-to-back wins over this trip on similar ground and is just 2lb above his latest win-mark if the conditions do now play to his strengths.