15:15 Kempton

Saturday 17 March 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Matchbook Silver Bowl Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:19 | Winning time: 5m 16.12s

Bun Doran⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 139| BF| D

11/2

Former points/bumper winner who has proved consistent over fences and has looked as good as ever on the evidence of placed efforts over 2m at Cheltenham and Wetherby this season. Return to 2m4f should suit and yard won this last year.

Form: 1P63-23

Kilcrea Vale⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

3/1

Beat As De Mee by 2L when taking a good novices chase at Fontwell (2m1f) in February 2017, but has yet to sample handicap success. For all that, his recent second-place effort over 2m5f at Ascot was his best yet. Respected.

Form: 58-2362

Bentelimar⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 136| BF| D

7/1

Hurdle/chase winner in Ireland who ran well to chase home the smart Terrefort at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) in January but was turned over at short odds on desperate ground at Catterick latest. More needed here.

Form: 260322

Cobra De Mai^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

14/1

Won 4-5 between May-October 2017, all on good/fast ground and three of those over fences. Returned from wind surgery to win over 2m4f at Warwick (good to soft) last month but raised 3lb and easier ground may not be ideal.

Form: 1P1541

Cepage²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 136| D

14/1

Winner over fences in France and at Newbury on his British debut in December 2016. Best effort since when just touched off at Ascot (2m1f, good to soft) but two lesser efforts have followed in testing conditions.

Form: F33-234

Brandon Hill³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 135

7/2

Excellent jumper won a couple of chases last winter and has returned as good as ever this season, placing for the third time in succession when a 1L second behind Bigbadjohn over 3m here (good to soft) last month. Dropped in trip.

Form: 114-232

Minella Present^h,t⁶⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 134| D

33/1

Has two wins and three seconds in seven runs over fences, but not seen since May 2016. Ground probably more testing than ideal on his return to action but market vibes the best guide to his chances.

Form: 3122P/1-

Thomas Crapper^p,t³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 132| D

25/1

Experienced multiple winner who finished an excellent fourth in the Brown Advisory Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival. Seemed to run too bad to be true on only start this season and no forlorn hope if returning to anything like his best.

Form: 5714U-P

Orbasa^b²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129| D

14/1

Gained the last of his three chase wins when scoring from a 7lb lower mark at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in the autumn. Not disgraced since in four subsequent starts since without looking like adding to his tally.

Form: 516445

Favorito Buck's²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| CD

7/1

Former Listed winner over hurdles in France who has taken time to get his act together over fences but he showed improved form to edge out Kayf Blanco over C&D (good) last month. Only raised 3lb, so dangerous to dismiss.

Form: P4-F3P1

Forecasts

Kilcrea Vale (3/1), Brandon Hill (7/2), Bun Doran (11/2), Bentelimar (7/1), Favorito Buck's (7/1), Cepage (14/1), Cobra De Mai (14/1), Orbasa (14/1), Thomas Crapper (25/1), Minella Present (33/1)

Tom George captured this prize 12 months ago and saddles two live hopes in the shape of BUN DORAN and Brandon Hill, with preference for the former who has been re-routed from a possible Cheltenham Festival engagement for this. The return to a longer trip should suit the eight-year-old and top-weight may not be enough to anchor him, though recent winners Cobra De Mai and Favourito Buck's are not to be underestimated.