Wigley Group Carnival Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 3m 56.5s

San Benedeto^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| D

2/1

Could hardly stop winning when first seen over fences but has found life a little tougher since then (had some stiff tests). His last three starts have all come in Grade 1 company; will appreciate this ease back into handicaps off a career-best run.

Form: 224542-

Ozzie The Oscar²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 148| CD

7/4

All his chase runs have come in small fields but he has won twice and is unbeaten over C&D (2/2). Jumped and travelled well here last time to land a career-best and looks capable of going further; up 6lb from his last win which looks fair.

Form: 0/51321-

Work In Progress^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

12/1

Hard to fault his strike-rate over fences (4/8) but he has hit some rocky patches in the chasing road having failed to complete in three of his last four starts. Ran poorly when pulled-up last time (jumped poorly) and will find this quite a test.

Form: 11UU1-P

Capitoul¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137| D

7/2

Only small but has taken to fences really well going with great enthusiasm and jumping well on both his starts cruising home both times. Given a tasty 11lb rise for his last 18L win he needs to take his form to another level here; progressive sort.

Form: 660U1-1

Kapstadt¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 128| D

12/1

Useful sort on the Flat and over hurdles who will have to prove himself at this level over fences despite making a good start to his career in this discipline. Runs from 4lb out of the weights though after an absence and would be a surprise winner.

Form: 50/3322-

Forecasts

Ozzie The Oscar (7/4), San Benedeto (2/1), Capitoul (7/2), Kapstadt (12/1), Work In Progress (12/1)

There are a couple of decent types who are just starting their chasing careers in Ozzie The Oscar and Capitoul to make this a good test and both of those deserve to be respected in this field. Both have jumped and travelled well in their races so far but the form of SAN BENEDETO stands out here having been highly-tried for most of the season in Grade 1 company. He wasn’t beaten far last time by Altior and although he may have been flattered a repeat of that run would be good enough here. Both Work In Progress and Kapstadt face tough examinations here based on what they have shown so far.