Dick Hunt Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 46.7s

Vic De Touzaine⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 139| D

12/1

Winner first time up this season at Carlisle (3m, soft ground) but two poor efforts in better company after that, pulling up on both occasions. This trip probably short enough, but easier company and smaller field may help. Risky.

Form: 22U-1PP

Kayf Adventure²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139| CD

9/4

Easy winner over C&D last tie out, taking his form to a new level, and 6lb rise is more than fair. Not hard to see him on the premises with a repeat, but form of the yard a bit in-and-out, which lessens confidence.

Form: 32-1631

Grand Vision³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135| D

6/1

Veteran that jumps for fun, and ran another blinder when second to the improving Daklondike at Newbury latest. Worry is the form of the yard, but that aside, conditions here fine and chances if getting loose off the front.

Form: 3120-12

Ballinvarrig^b²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 132| CD

16/1

Won back-to-back handicaps last spring but handicapper had his say after that, and he's found life harder since, pulling up on reappearance at Chepstow in January. May strip fitter now but still has wellbeing to prove.

Form: 54112-P

Le Boizelo²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 129| CD

5/2

Really getting the hang of fences now and did well to come out top in a protracted battle over C&D last time, coming away for an easy win. 8lb rise looks fair, and with the ground no issue, looks the one to beat again here.

Form: 41U/321

Siruh Du Lac⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 124| D

5/2

Only 5 and improving quickly, wining two chases from the front at Bangor and Exeter. This is harder, with a 6lb rise, raise in grade and possible competition on the lead, but clearly going the right way and the hat-trick can't be discounted.

Form: 324-P11

Forecasts

Kayf Adventure (9/4), Siruh Du Lac (5/2), Le Boizelo (5/2), Grand Vision (6/1), Vic De Touzaine (12/1), Ballinvarrig (16/1)

Grand Vision is likely to give a bold sight in front, but his old legs might not be able to hold off the improving LE BOIZELO in the closing stages and he's taken to follow up his recent win here. Siruh Du Lac faces a stiffer task but he too is going the right way and may prove the main danger. Both Vic De Touzaine and Kayf Adventure are capable but both come with plenty of risk attached.