bet365.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 52.22s

Call Me Vic⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 137

9/2

Has not seen much action since winning at Aintree (2m4f, good) this time last year, running only three times since. Looks to be in the grip of the handicapper on the evidence of those runs and 1lb drop since reappearance does not look enough.

Form: 4F12-64

Poker School²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 135| D

11/4

Enjoyed a good autumn/winter last season, winning three times from 2m-2m4½f. Put up his best effort since when a nose second at Wetherby last time out. However, a 3lb rise for that is not ideal and he is going to need more improvement to win this.

Form: 642542

Takingrisks²⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 130

14/1

Seems to go on any ground. Sole chase success came at Kelso (2m6½f, heavy) in February, but well held in handicaps in both subsequent starts. Stays 3m1f and this may just be on the sharp side for him on his reappearance.

Form: 3F214P-

Cusheen Bridge^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: A Pogson| T: C T Pogson| OR: 128

14/1

Won two chases over 2m5½f at Market Rasen last year and made a pleasing reappearance at Wetherby recently when 3½L third in the same race as Poker School. 3lb better off with that reopposing rival and a repeat effort should see him in the mix.

Form: 215PP-3

Cooking Fat^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 127

4/1

Runner-up in two of his three chases at 2m3½f-2m5½f so far and gets on well with today's pilot. Up 2lb for his latest 3L second at Kelso, but not beyond improvement and entitled to enter calculations.

Form: 1F-52U2

Markov²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 126

2/1

Fontwell bumper winner who did not manage to score over hurdles, but came good on his chase debut back at that track (2m5½f, good to soft) last time. Up 3lb for that and in slightly better company here, but there looks to be more to come.

Form: 53343-1

Forecasts

Markov (2/1), Poker School (11/4), Cooking Fat (4/1), Call Me Vic (9/2), Takingrisks (14/1), Cusheen Bridge (14/1)

Cusheen Bridge returned from a 10-month absence and ran really well at Wetherby last time. With that under his belt he can get even closer this time and may be able to reverse placings with Poker School. However, MARKOV promised better when scoring at Fontwell on his chasing debut last time and he can follow-up, with Cooking Fat respected in opposition.