totesport.com Sussex Champion Chase (Handicap)

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 145| C| D

Given an inflated chase mark on the back of a fortunate Grade 1 win his last chase outing proved very lack lustre. Kept to hurdles since (held his own) he now returns to fences (second run since wind surgery) off a reduced mark; trip looks too sharp.

Form: PP-3P50

Casse Tete²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| D

Useful over fences he was suited by the strong pace when winning at Warwick off a reduced mark (2m4f, soft) before being given a stiffer test at the Festival (3m1f). Still caught the eye in that race off this mark and this trip looks perfect for him.

Form: 31-7718

Bishops Court^p,h,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr James King⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 134| D

Strong travelling but slightly quirky chaser (note headgear) who had looked very progressive 18 months ago when scoring four consecutive wins. Found a weak race to obtain next win and pulled-up in next two starts; remains above his last winning mark.

Form: 5-731PP

Dusky Lark^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 133| C| D

Has shown some fair chasing form in the past and won off a 1lb lower mark on his first run for this yard. Has found life tougher since then (even tried over hurdles) and below form in headgear last time (fences) jumping poorly and running too freely.

Form: 14-P334

Beau Bay^h,t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130| D

Consistent and resilient sort who proved he could cope with this mark last time when just beaten at Ascot in a better race than he usually contests. Gained his last win in the Stewards Room but his attitude/consistency will place in him the mix here.

Form: 231312

Forecasts

Beau Bay (2/1), Casse Tete (9/4), Dusky Lark (4/1), Royal Vacation (11/2), Bishops Court (8/1)

Three of these come here with some baggage in tow and it may be better to concentrate on the two solid types in the race led by CASSE TETE who shaped very well at Cheltenham last time out over further where his stamina looked as though it ran out. This trip looks perfect for him and he’s given the nod over Beau Bay who proved he can be competitive off this mark when narrowly defeated at Ascot. Royal Vacation is edging back to a more suitable mark but this doesn’t look enough of a test of stamina while Dusky Lark needs to jump better and Bishops Court is hard to recommend after two pulled-up efforts.