David Keith Memorial Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 3 | 3m 38y | 4 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| CD

Two wins in seven starts over fences, including over C&D in October. Handicap mark looks high enough and he was well held in a hurdle at Southwell last time.

Form: 1F42P5

Chic Name^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: R Hobson| OR: 130

One win in eight starts over fences and last run was in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival in which he excelled himself to finish fifth at 100-1. Different test this time, but repeat of that effort would make him the one to beat.

Form: 4417-35

Holbrook Park^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 122| CD

Odds-on when wide-margin winner of an ordinary novice chase at Plumpton in February, but was last of four in a Fontwell handicap in bid to follow up. Down 6lb, which gives cause for optimism.

Form: PPP214

After Aspen^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 118| BF

Irish import who won a Lingfield handicap hurdle on first start for this trainer. Jumped poorly when tried over fences at this track last time, but can do much better if putting in a better round off 2lb lower.

Form: P-64013

Forecasts

After Aspen (6/4), Holbrook Park (9/4), Sam Red (4/1), Chic Name (9/2)

It is too soon to give up on After Aspen over fences, but his jumping is a cause for concern so preference is for CHIC NAME, who ran a blinder in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival and is the clear pick if able to reproduce that level of form back over regulation fences. Holbrook Park is back to a realistic mafk, but Sam Red looks to have his fair share of weight.