32Red.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 11.25s

Fountains Windfall¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 146

10/11

Useful hurdler who won on debut over fences, but has fallen on last two starts. Might well have won the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase over C&D last time had he not tipped up 4 out and has to go well if that tumble has not left a mark.

Form: 11-51FF

Ballyalton^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 142| D

9/2

More than useful hurdler/chaser who has returned from injury this season to post a couple of solid efforts in valuable handicap chases at Cheltenham. Step up in trip should not be an issue and handicapper has dropped him 1lb.

Form: F15/644

The Young Master^p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 142| D

8/1

Very capable performer at his best, but recent efforts have not suggested a return to winning ways is imminent. Handicapper is relenting, though, so not one to write off just yet.

Form: 06F9-U6

On Tour²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 139| D

9/1

Came from way back to win a valuable 2m4f contest on his reappearance at Aintree and was travelling well when unseating at Newbury next time. Well held over this trip last time when stamina looked an issue.

Form: 354-1U9

Ballykan^p,t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134| D

5/1

Four-times winner over fences, but has not scored since August, 2016. Handicapper is being slow to relent so others make more appeal.

Form: F4-P304

Morning Reggie^b⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 121

40/1

Landed a 2m4f contest at Sandown in March, but two subsequent efforts, the latest after a seven-month break, have been underwhelming. Steps up in trip with questions to answer.

Form: 53917-6

Forecasts

Fountains Windfall (10/11), Ballyalton (9/2), Ballykan (5/1), The Young Master (8/1), On Tour (9/1), Morning Reggie (40/1)

With stamina doubts over On Tour and Morning Reggie, Ballykan looking in the grip of the handicapper and The Young Master seemingly out of sorts, it may pay to concentrate on the top two. Fountains Windfall could well be a handicap good thing, but the fact he has fallen when in with a winning chance on his last two starts slightly tempers enthusiasm. The percentage call, then, is BALLYALTON, who has run well in a couple of hot Cheltenham handicaps on his last two outings and may appreciate this longer trip and slightly better ground.