bet365 Scottish Champion Chase (Handicap)

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 4m 1.10s

Marracudja^t⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| D

11/4

Prominent racer who has been ridden with more restraint recently. Has been well held off this mark, but return to a sharp track and the presence on board of an excellent claiming jockey makes him of some interest.

Form: P22-235

Baby King^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 135| DWS

4/1

Confidently-ridden when winning at Aintree two starts ago, but was behind Marracudja at Sandown last time. First outing following wind surgery and, with only four starts over fences to his name, remains open to improvement.

Form: 4/31-F18

King's Wharf³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 132| D

16/1

Irish import who has failed to hit the frame in three starts - two of them over hurdles - for his current trainer. Down 3lb after finishing well behind at Market Rasen over fences last time and makes little appeal.

Form: 750574

Ink Master^h,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| D

10/1

Likes to be up there from the start, but has been disappointing over hurdles and fences this season and was well behind Baby King in a chase at Aintree. Dropping down the weights, but needs to show more.

Form: P36785

Contre Tous^t²⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 125

10/3

Ex-French performer who won two handicap chases for Paul Nicholls last season. First outing for this yard following a break and is worth a check in the betting market.

Form: 4/55113-

Solar Impulse^b³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Dave Crosse| T: C N Kellett| OR: 123| D

5/1

Undeniably well handicapped on his old form for Paul Nicholls, but is 0-12 for his current yard and has slipped into the habit of finding one too good, which happened again over C&D last time. Up 3lb and opposed for win purposes.

Form: 462252

Chain Of Beacons^t⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: B S Hughes| T: K Scott| OR: 113| D

13/2

On an upward curve for Sandy Thompson last season and has carried on that progression for this stable, winning well at Kelso on latest outing. Up 7lb, but conditions should suit and he has a positive jockey booking.

Form: 6123-31

Forecasts

Marracudja (11/4), Contre Tous (10/3), Baby King (4/1), Solar Impulse (5/1), Chain Of Beacons (13/2), Ink Master (10/1), King's Wharf (16/1)

Solar Impulse is capable of winning off this mark but tends to find at least one too good for him these days, while his former stable companion Marracudja looks best ridden prominently and may face competition for the lead from Ink Master. Contre Tous, another former Nicholls performer, would be interesting if the market spoke in his favour and Chain Of Beacons is respected under his top pilot, but BABY KING looks the one most open to improvement and that could be forthcoming following his wind operation.