15:35 Kempton

Saturday 24 February 2018

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Betdaq Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 2.10s

Theatre Guide^b,t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 152| CD

20/1

Decisive winner of this race two years ago and was a good third last year. Beaten out of sight in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham on his first run since wind surgery, but this is more his level and he cannot be ruled out with any confidence.

Form: 7383-36

Go Conquer⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 151| D

16/1

Started the season in good style with back-to-back wins, but was beaten when unseating his rider on his latest start at Ascot. Had a battle for the lead that day and may do better if getting his own way up front.

Form: 250-11F

Josses Hill^b1⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| C

12/1

Behind Art Mauresque when fifth to Waiting Patiently at this venue last month. Likes this track, however, and would be a lively outsider if getting a soft lead and able to dominate, which seems unlikely with Go Conquer in opposition.

Form: 573-625

Art Mauresque⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C

10/1

Returned from a lay-off to chase home subsequent Grade 1 winner Waiting Patiently at Kempton. Has been left alone by the handicapper and shapes as though this longer trip will suit.

Form: 787P-F2

Acting Lass^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 149

7/2

Winner of all three starts over fences and readily landed a decent handicap at Ascot on his latest outing. Seriously progressive and is a leading contender despite another 6lb rise.

Form: 124-111

As De Mee⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149

20/1

Seems to reserve his best form for Aintree, but did little wrong when winning at Kelso in October. Usually travels well and is not badly treated, so one to consider at a price following a short break.

Form: 54-214U

Label Des Obeaux^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 149| D

14/1

Got his act together during his novice chase campaign, but has been struggling this time round. Only 1lb higher than his last winning mark so prospects if staging a revival.

Form: 01-83P6

Vibrato Valtat^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 147| C

33/1

Talented performer over 2m4f and less in his younger days and showed he stays this trip when second at Doncaster in December. Not so good there last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: P5-5429

Master Dee^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145| D

8/1

Consistent sort who has been given a break since finishing second in a good contest at Aintree in November. Step up in trip should not be a problem and he has each-way claims.

Form: 112-332

Loose Chips^b²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 139| CD

20/1

Veteran campaigner who retains his form well and has performed with plenty of credit on his last two starts at Sandown. This looks a stronger race, however, and younger legs may find him out.

Form: 1-P3453

Tintern Theatre³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138| CD

5/1

Won a C&D handicap two starts ago, defeating the winner of this race last year, but got bogged down in bottomless ground at Haydock last time and was beaten when unseating for the second time in three outings. Return to sounder surface should help.

Form: 2F4U1U

Relentless Dreamer^p,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: C Gethings| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 137| D

33/1

Looks to have the beating of Monbeg Charmer on Ludlow form, but has been held off higher marks in two contests since winning that race. Plenty to do in this company.

Form: 6P2163

Monbeg Charmer^h,t⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134| D

16/1

Novice chaser who finished well behind Relentless Dreamer at Ludlow in December. Better off at the weights, but still has plenty to do to turn the tables, let alone beat the best of these rivals.

Form: 21P-413

Ballykan^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| D

14/1

No match for the ill-fated Fountains Windfall over C&D on his latest outing and was well behind Go Conquer at Ascot in November. Young enough to improve, but needs to do so.

Form: 4-P3042

Theatre Territory^p1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| D

10/1

Still a maiden over fences, but has been running well and was not beaten far at Cheltenham on her latest outing. Tries 3m for the first time under rules, but won a point-to-point over this distance and has each-way claims in first-time cheekpieces..

Form: 67-2232

Forecasts

Acting Lass (7/2), Tintern Theatre (5/1), Master Dee (8/1), Theatre Territory (10/1), Art Mauresque (10/1), Josses Hill (12/1), Ballykan (14/1), Label Des Obeaux (14/1), Go Conquer (16/1), Monbeg Charmer (16/1), As De Mee (20/1), Loose Chips (20/1), Theatre Guide (20/1), Relentless Dreamer (33/1), Vibrato Valtat (33/1)

A decent renewal of this valuable race and one that can go to ACTING LASS, who is seriously progressive over fences and can cope with another rise in the weights. There is little to choose between stable companions Art Mauresque and As De Mee, but Tintern Theatre is much preferred to his stable's other representative Ballykan now that he is back on a more suitable surface. Theatre Guide boasts a fine record in this race and can go well despite top weight, while Master Dee and Theatre Territory are others to consider as they step up in trip.