Happy New Year From Paxtons Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 13.65s

Viens Chercher^p¹⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 128| C

5/1

A horse with ability, but one who has probably been held back by the handicapper for his gains as a novice. Off the track since August, and the suspicion is that he'll need this race despite a slowly easing mark.

Form: 343-486

Tornado In Milan⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

5/1

Stronger over hurdles than fences during his lengthy career, but ran well to get within 3L of Ubaltique at Haydock last week (2m heavy). Slightly less testing conditions to tackle today, but the step up in trip appears ideal.

Form: 15-9432

Rear Admiral^t⁷²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 122| D

4/1

Doesn't always deliver the goods off the bridle (travels well), but has scored in two of his last three starts. Up 2lb for dishing out a 1¼L beating of Muwalla at Newcastle in November (2m4f good), but wouldn't want too much further rainfall.

Form: 5/3414-1

Never Up²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117

5/1

Modest in a couple of races since making a pleasing impression at Carlisle in October (2m4f heavy). However, much better latest, and whilst this likeable front runner is respected, the nagging doubt is that he might prefer going right-handed.

Form: 3-214P3

Dica³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 117| CD

5/1

A flag-bearer for his relatively unknown local handler, and the handicapper is clearly struggling to keep grips on his level of improvement. Won his last two starts over C&D, and up another 5lb for his Boxing Day success (second won since).

Form: 321131

Discoverie^b,h¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 115| C

6/1

Saves his very best for this undulating, sharp circuit, but has done the vast majority of his winning over 2m to 2m1f. Beaten 4L by Dresden at Catterick latest (2m soft), he's considered, but was beaten in the selling hurdle on this card in 2017.

Form: 2-5U462

Cash Again⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 106

8/1

Mark falling quickly after a series of moderate efforts, and he could profit from that fact at some stage. Unexposed as such over fences (rein broke latest), he should be monitored in the market at the very least.

Form: 30-576P

Forecasts

Rear Admiral (4/1), Never Up (5/1), Viens Chercher (5/1), Tornado In Milan (5/1), Dica (5/1), Discoverie (6/1), Cash Again (8/1)

Not the type of contest for forming a definitive opinion, but whatever price Rear Admiral trades at in the market, it'll be plenty short enough, as he's not the type of horse that you want batting for you in the heat of the battle despite a couple of recent victories at Fakenham and Newcastle. On the other hand, Never Up appears to be improving, and looks a young chaser of some substance (lovely fencer), but he could be sharpest on a right-handed track. Dica continues to just about defy the handicapper, and he defeated Thursday's emphatic but enigmatic Kelso winner Whitsundays when scoring over C&D on Boxing Day, whilst Viens Chercher will be more interesting a few races down the line. Therefore, the pin falls on TORNADO IN MILAN, who should appreciate this step up in trip after posting a decent showing at Haydock last weekend (2m).