At The Races Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 40.9s

Mercers Court^v1⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 129| CD

25/1

Won over C&D (good) in 2016, though has been in the grip of the handicapper since scoring at Kempton 13 months ago from today's mark. Goes on soft but badly out of sorts lately and visor needs to have a very positive effect.

Form: 4P5F7P

Princeton Royale^v³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 127| D

12/1

Went close around here over 3m last year, his last two wins being over similar trips to today's at Cartmel (also in 2016). Pulled up after a lengthy absence at Taunton last time so has a bit to prove but well treated if back if back in better form.

Form: 31523-P

Popelys Gull²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 125

7/1

Sprang a 28-1 surprise in a decent field at Wetherby (2m3½f, good) in October, though thrashed under his penalty at Southwell last time. This could still be a good mark for his handicap debut, provided he could produce another Wetherby-like effort.

Form: 222-P14

Enjoy Responsibly¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 124| BF| CD

11/1

Returned from a 14-month absence with a 15L win over C&D (good) in November. Handicapper did not miss that and a 15lb rise put paid to him at Bangor (3m, soft) last time. Drop in trip/return here may help, but bit to prove now and on this going.

Form: 4224-15

Creep Desbois²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| D

6/5

Won a novices' hurdle over this trip at Doncaster (good to soft) in February. Bettered that on his chase debut (3m, good to soft) at Ascot last month. Drop in trip looks positive and 3lb drop going into this gives him claims.

Form: 5413-05

Royal Plaza^h,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

4/1

Sole win from 20 starts came over hurdles at Worcester (2m3f, soft) 13-months ago from a 3lb lower mark. Best chase run so far came from this mark at Huntingdon in October and has claims, but does need to eek out a bit more.

Form: 32423F

Cody Wyoming^p,t¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: C J Mann| OR: 119| CD

9/1

Took it up some way out and stayed on strongly to win over C&D (soft) earlier in the month. Up 5lb for that, but did win from 1lb higher than this at Lingfield 13-months ago and if he can back-up with a similar effort then he can go very close.

Form: 0PP-2P1

Forecasts

Creep Desbois (6/5), Royal Plaza (4/1), Popelys Gull (7/1), Cody Wyoming (9/1), Enjoy Responsibly (11/1), Princeton Royale (12/1), Mercers Court (25/1)

Cody Wyoming did well here last time and he should make a good fist of defying a 5lb rise, though the suggestion is CREEP DESBOIS, whose run at Ascot was a promising start over fences, though also suggested that this slight drop in trip would prove beneficial. With scope for improvement, he gets the nod. Princeton Royale looks well treated if he can run to his ability and Popelys Gull is interesting on his handicap debut, though he will need to be better than at Southwell last time. Royal Plaza should be competitive, but needs to find a bit extra to be winning. A revival from Mercers Court would give him claims from this mark.