David Keith Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 5m 34.45s

Templehills^h,t⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| CD

15/8

Twice a winner but lacks consistency over fences and his first run back from a ten month absence (second at Chepstow) was better than his second (well beaten at Warwick). Lesser grade now, however, so not ruled out.

Form: F1PP-24

Crosspark⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 132| BF

9/4

Not the biggest but tries hard and bagged a 2m4f chase at Leicester (heavy) last spring off this mark. Yet to better that in a light campaign this season and was particularly disappointing at Leicester last time.

Form: 13-4P44

Monsieur Co¹⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126

8/1

Smart French form and easily won a novice hurdle for this yard last January but underwhelming in handicap chases this year, beaten 23L at Wincanton (2m, heavy) on Boxing Day. Mark slowly coming down but questions still to answer.

Form: 114-5F3

Princeton Royale^b⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 126| BF| D

7/2

A winner over hurdles and chases and was placed for the second time over this C&D when a runner-up here last time out behind Twenty Eight Guns. Drying ground probably not in his favour but mark is fair.

Form: 23-P322

Movie Legend^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: L Wadham| OR: 126| C

11/2

Well-placed to win small-field affairs over 2m here and at Wetherby earlier this season but handicapper has held sway since and he was pulled up at Sandown last time. Drying ground not an issue but no margin for error.

Form: 11462P

Forecasts

Templehills (15/8), Crosspark (9/4), Princeton Royale (7/2), Movie Legend (11/2), Monsieur Co (8/1)

All five protagonists have questions marks against them to some degree, including TEMPLEHILLS who jumped awkwardly at Warwick last time. For all that, he'd shaped nicely after a break at Chepstow the time before and, if he can return to anything like the form he showed to win here and at Warwick last season, his current mark is there to be exploited. Princeton Royale, a runner-up over C&D last time out, could be the one to profit if the selection fluffs his lines with Crosspark also a danger on best form.