bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 3m 49.60s

Quite By Chance^t⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 140| D

7/2

This is much easier than most of his recent assignments but needs to make the most of this class drop now returning after a break.

Form: 235P07-

Festive Affair^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140| CD

5/1

C&D winner who also won at Ludlow when last seen in May. Up 5lb and not getting any younger but clearly retains ability and should put in another bold bid.

Form: 17992-1

Noche De Reyes^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 135| D

25/1

Behind Festive Affair at Ludlow two starts back before finishing at distant third at Stratford last time. Actually 2lb higher than at the time of the Ludlow race so makes only limited appeal.

Form: 16F7-23

Champagne At Tara¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135| D

5/2

Impressive winner at Aintree last time and up 8lb as a result, but did it well there and usually seen to best effect over this trip; considered.

Form: 4UF2-31

Oliver's Gold²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 130| CD

9/1

Beaten when unseating at Southwell over hurdles last time, but in good form over fences prior to that so return to chasing could see him to better effect.

Form: 76-312U

Bandsman^p1²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| BF| D

5/2

Couldn't justify favouritism at Newton Abbot last time and drops back in trip here in cheek pieces, but needs appreciate the shorter distance to have a say.

Form: 580-113

Forecasts

Champagne At Tara (5/2), Bandsman (5/2), Quite By Chance (7/2), Festive Affair (5/1), Oliver's Gold (9/1), Noche De Reyes (25/1)

This could be between Festive Affair and CHAMPAGNE AT TARA. The former is a C&D winner who won at Ludlow last time in good style, but even more impressive when last seen was the selection. An eight-length winner of a slightly lesser handicap chase than this, he looked ready to take the step back up to this level with an 8lb rise fair enough. Oliver's Gold unseated over hurdles last time but the return to chasing could help him be third best.