Matchbook Is Commission Free Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 57.7s

Minella Daddy^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 136| D

9/2

Listed placed at his best but not the most consistent profile, and needs a small revival now (though off a workable mark) having run poorly the last twice.

Form: 2P/420P-

Favorito Buck's¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| C

9/2

Winner of a Fontwell novice chase when last seen, and previous handicap form fairly good including at this course. Much higher in the weights now, though, and so needs to progress again.

Form: F3P181-

Toviere¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: O Sherwood| OR: 132| C| D

5/1

Better off at the weights with Favorito Buck's compared to when they met in a novice chase last time. General form over fences not quite as good, though, and still has something to prove.

Form: 3/14412-

Beggars Cross^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

16/1

Won off 4lb lower than this at Warwick in October, but hasn't been able to build on that since and pulled-up off this mark at Ludlow last time in similar conditions.

Form: F3/104P-

Buster Thomas¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

7/2

Won by seven lengths at Wincanton last time out but slightly fortunate there when leader fell late in the day. Step up in trip shouldn't be an issue but may need luck in-running again.

Form: 2/3F451-

Bugsie Malone^p¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 118| CD

5/2

C&D winner when last seen who goes well here in general.Up 4lb for that victory but this potentially easier and the ground shouldn't be an issue for him; leading claims.

Form: 2F4P41-

Non-Runners

Vino Griego⁸⁰

Weight: 10-9| Age: 13

T: G & J Moore J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Bugsie Malone (5/2), Buster Thomas (7/2), Minella Daddy (9/2), Favorito Buck's (9/2), Toviere (5/1), Vino Griego (10/1), Beggars Cross (16/1)

Most of these having questions to answer of one form or another, but BUGSIE MALONE was a C&D winner last time out who has gone up 4lb for that, which seems fair, and arriving here in good form he may be able to secure the double off what could still be a workable mark (placed off 122 in the past). He is taken to see off Buster Thomas, who won well at Wincanton last time but slightly fortunate there, and recent Fontwell scorer Favorito Buck's.