Smarkets Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 47.20s

Red Devil Star^t⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 118| D

1/1

His only chase win came from 2lb higher last season and he has matched that form a couple of times since. Handles soft ground and goes well at trips from 2m-2m3f. 2lb drop won't harm and he has claims.

Form: 4-73263

Ballycamp⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: A Pogson| T: C T Pogson| OR: 116

9/2

Would not be without hope based on his form from 2016, but was understandably unable to reach that level on his reappearance in January. Couldn't rule him out if back to his best, but has that to prove.

Form: 2/3422-4

Roxyfet¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105| CD

9/4

Has been in decent form at class 4 and 5 level this season, winning at Sedgefield and also here over C&D (soft) last month. Ran well again at Wetherby last time from this 7lb higher mark and not ruled out with stable's runners in good form.

Form: 221553

Chateau Chinon¹⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Quinlan| T: S A Harris| OR: 105

12/1

Has been unable to get competitive over hurdles for Dan Skelton or in one chase start for Rebecca Menzies and now makes his debut for a third trainer in as many starts. Drops 4lb but watching brief advised until we see signs of ore ability.

Form: 6778-5

Forecasts

Red Devil Star (1/1), Roxyfet (9/4), Ballycamp (9/2), Chateau Chinon (12/1)

A back-to-form Ballycamp could not be dismissed at a track where his trainer has winners, while success for Roxyfet can clearly not be ruled out despite a mark 7lb higher than when he won here last month. However, RED DEVIL STAR can take advantage of a slight drop in his mark and record a second chase success on ground that suits.