16:40 Huntingdon

Thursday 22 February 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Smarkets John Bigg Oxo Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 23.9s

Vivaccio⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117

16/1

Well-handicapped these days but it's now three years without a win and he has failed to take advantage of two attractive opportunities lately. Dropped in grade and upped in trip this time.

Form: U344/33

Bad Boy Du Pouldu⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 116

10/1

Slightly fortuitous 11L winner of a Fontwell handicap hurdle in April but has gone well off his new mark on a couple of occasions now chasing. Last run was too bad to be true and he is worth another go at this trip.

Form: 71-522P

King Spirit¹⁵⁰⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 115| C

14/1

Twice a winner for Brendan Powell and potentially well-handicapped having been dropped 15lb since his last run four years ago. Entitled to need the run, but in capable hands and the market should be informative.

Form: 654312/

Kincora Fort^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 113| D

85/40

Runner-up over C&D on chase debut and backed that up when landing a gamble at Leicester three weeks ago. Up just 3lb and has more than enough scope to defy that.

Form: 61/4621

Old Salt⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 113

12/1

Has had just the three runs over fences and has left the impression the best is yet to come. He was first off the bridle last time which may suggest he needs a stiffer test than this plus the yard are going through a quiet spell.

Form: 435-P34

Wandrin Star⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 112

9/2

Easy winner of an Irish point-to-point and in good hands. Surprising, therefore, that he failed to impress with his jumping on either start over fences and he may need further.

Form: 1-5447

Must Havea Flutter⁴^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 105

9/4

Appreciated the longer trip to score at Market Rasen on Sunday and connections turn him out quickly before the handicapper has his say. This is not much stronger and he would be the one to beat.

Form: 468741

Under The Phone⁶⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 111

33/1

Only win over fences came in April, 2016, and his last outing was back in May of the same year. Has clearly had a problem and is best watched on this return to action.

Form: 62514/2-

Forecasts

Kincora Fort (85/40), Must Havea Flutter (9/4), Wandrin Star (9/2), Bad Boy Du Pouldu (10/1), Old Salt (12/1), King Spirit (14/1), Vivaccio (16/1), Under The Phone (33/1)

MUST HAVEA FLUTTER is a former point-to-pointer who appreciated this trip when exploiting an attractive looking mark on Sunday. The handicapper is likely to hit him hard and it is little surprise to see him turned out so quickly under a penalty. Kincora Fort has not been unduly penalised for a fluent success last time and rates a big danger, whilst Vivaccio and Bad Boy Du Poldu are dropped in class and would have strong claims if back to their best.