16:40 Kempton

Monday 7 May 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Matchbook VIP Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 4m 16.25s

Vaniteux^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 143| C

5/1

This is much easier than the Graded races he has been running in for much of the past year and he's certainly better than this level of competition at his very best, but still needs to step up on recent form.

Form: 5742-08

Max Ward⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: T R George| OR: 143| C

10/1

Has drawn a blank so far this season but his form ties in with some good horses. Off since February and a little bit to prove off this mark but should still be competitive.

Form: 214/6-P2

Peter The Mayo Man¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142

5/2

Easy winner of a novice chase at Southwell last time out. Slight step up in trip no issue and this mark should be fine for him on handicap chase debut; one to closely consider.

Form: 81-F551

Red Spinner^p²⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 139

16/1

No win since December 2015 and still higher in the weights now. Recent second placed finishes give him some form of chance here but still has questions to answer.

Form: P2532/2-

Work In Progress^t¹⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| C

7/1

A winner of a novice chase at Hereford when last seen on his first completed start in three, but questions about his jumping remain and seems to be the stable's second string here.

Form: 111UU1-

Eastlake^t²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: N P Madden| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137

25/1

Virtually pulled-up on his last few starts and hasn't been competitive in the closing stages of a race since winning at Cheltenham in December 2016; others preferred.

Form: P0P/0-00

Imperial Presence⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 128| C

7/2

Has been lightly raced over the past couple of years which suggests he's had his issues, but he has shown he has plenty of ability and is entitled to build on a good second at Newbury last time out.

Form: 5512/5-2

Ashoka^p,t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 126

5/1

5lb higher than when winning at Ascot two starts back, but this is easier than the Listed race he ran in at the same track last time out.

Form: 13P-414

Forecasts

Peter The Mayo Man (5/2), Imperial Presence (7/2), Ashoka (5/1), Vaniteux (5/1), Work In Progress (7/1), Max Ward (10/1), Red Spinner (16/1), Eastlake (25/1)

Vaniteux may run well in what looks an easier race than his recent assignments, while Imperial Presence ran fairly well at Newbury last time and hasn't been able to show his best over the past couple of years. However, preference is for PETER THE MAYO MAN. Having easily justified short-priced favouritism at Southwell last time out he makes his handicap chase debut here off what looks a workable mark, and could develop into a candidate for better handicaps over fences in time.