16:10 Kempton

Monday 9 April 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Matchbook Casino Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 25.95s

Conna Cross⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: J Farrelly| OR: 119

12/1

Makes his GB/stable debut having already won a chase in Ireland on his debut over the bigger obstacles. Showed improved form back over hurdles on his penultimate start off a mark of 99 but now given a hefty hike in the weights back over fences.

Form: 415610

Astracad⁴⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 118| D

9/1

Fairly useful chaser in the past but hasn't won for a while now although the 3m he ran over last time was too much of a test. Handicapper is starting to show him some mercy though if he does find some form; mark now 13lb below his last winning one.

Form: 4-P3337

Longtown¹²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117| BF| DWS

9/2

Winning hurdler who looked bound to improve on his chasing/handicap debut at Exeter. Didn't quite live up to those expectations but certainly shaped better than his final placing last time out still looking as though he needed the experience.

Form: 3/281-P6

By The Boardwalk^t⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 117

12/1

His losing run continues to mount (now back below last winning mark) despite on occasions looking better than his finishing position. Last three runs have all been poor though (might have needed the run last time); can look quirky, caution advised.

Form: 32-3045

Bestwork⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 115| D

16/1

Won four times last season over fences usually adopting a front-running role but the handicapper may have him off this mark. Last two runs have been below-par although a more patient ride may have been to blame last time; attitude is questionable.

Form: 14516P

Under The Phone^p⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 108| CD

11/2

Headgear worn for his last chasing win returns having been left off on his return from a long absence. Finished well-held on that occasion (chance ended by bad mistake) but back below his last winning mark if that run has brought him on.

Form: 2514/2-5

The Ogle Gogle Man^b1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 108

9/2

Given his handicap debut over fences off what looked to be a stiff looking mark he improved on his hurdles form despite some novicey mistakes. Regressed from that run last time in first-time cheekpieces and now given an initial try in blinkers.

Form: 3F4333

Dance Floor King^p1⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 105| D

6/1

Recent form has left a little to be desired although he's not faced ideal conditions in those runs and most of his best form/wins has come from the front. Now tried in cheekpieces for the first-time he faces competition for the lead again here.

Form: 1-8355P

Turban³³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 102| D

14/1

Formerly a very useful chaser but those days are long gone now although he has slipped 10lb below his last winning mark. His last couple of runs have shown some promise but his tendency to make mistakes tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 825553

Kilinakin¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: T E Whelan| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 98

7/1

Left his chasing debut four months previously well behind when scoring over 2m in testing conditions in March for his first win under Rules. Didn't run badly over this trip last time when trying to follow-up from out of the handicap; more needed.

Form: 892-517

Forecasts

Longtown (9/2), The Ogle Gogle Man (9/2), Under The Phone (11/2), Dance Floor King (6/1), Kilinakin (7/1), Astracad (9/1), Conna Cross (12/1), By The Boardwalk (12/1), Turban (14/1), Bestwork (16/1)

A rather mixed bag and although there are some who are well handicapped on their old form they will need to bounce back to some better form to take advantage. Longtown stands out as the one most likely to take a step forward after two promising chase efforts but his stable remain rather quiet. The Ogle Goggle Man produced a decent effort over fences on his debut but needs to show more than he did last time with the blinkers going on for the first time. Conna Cross could make an impression but his mark looks rather onerous so a chance is taken with UNDER THE PHONE who features off a good mark and with his last run likely to have brought him on after a long break.