Matchbook Vip Chase (a Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 8.4s

Deauville Dancer^t⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: N D Fehily| T: David Dennis| OR: 137| D

9/1

Improved at a rate of knots during autumn/early winter, rattling off a hat-trick of wins but came badly unstuck on softer ground over a longer trip at Cheltenham last time. Break may have refreshed him but mark looks high now.

Form: 241119

Copain De Classe²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

11/10

Dual hurdle winner whose 6L third behind Benatar at Ascot on his chasing debut now reads well in view of that horse's subsequent exploits. Not foot-perfect when left to hack around alone at Fontwell (only rival unseated) last time.

Form: 31P1-31

Kayf Blanco²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 130| BF| CD

15/8

Fair handicap hurdler who has been placed in five of seven races over fences without getting his head in front. Best effort when a narrow second over 2m4f here (good) last time and drop in trip shouldn't be an issue. Claims.

Form: F23232

Vocaliser^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 116| D

7/1

Modest hurdler but has gone up a level over fences, winning back-to-back chases at Taunton on soft ground. Signs that the handicapper may have already taken his measure, however, when finishing third in a weaker race than this at Ludlow last time.

Form: 212113

Free Stone Hill^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| D

16/1

Dual winner over hurdles who finished a fair third behind Robinshill on the last of three chase runs at Ludlow (2m, good) in November. Toiled badly on soft ground over hurdles last month and conditions against him back over fences.

Form: 352F30

Forecasts

Copain De Classe (11/10), Kayf Blanco (15/8), Vocaliser (7/1), Deauville Dancer (9/1), Free Stone Hill (16/1)

COPAIN DE CLASSE was by no means foot-perfect when left to hack round alone in a match at Fontwell last month but he had earlier advertised his chasing potential when shaping well behind subsequent JLT Chase third Benatar at Ascot. Having won in testing conditions in France, today's ground will hold no fears for him and he is preferred to regular bridesmaid Kayf Blanco and Vocaliser.