Avantis Wealth - A F.R.E.S.H Approach To Investments Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 6m 44.65s

The Wicket Chicken^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112| C

5/2

Yet to match the form of her chasing debut in two subsequent attempts (hard a hard race on debut). Jumped poorly last time and didn't appear to show the right attitude and more needed with the mark still high enough.

Form: 16-5223

Better Days³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 110

10/1

Ground should be fine for him here after he ran no sort of race in soft conditions at Uttoxeter back from a break. Better judged on his Kempton win last October off a 3lb higher mark and looks well handicapped on that form.

Form: 2419-PP

Kings Temptation^t⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 110

7/2

Appreciated the stamina test when winning on his 2nd start over fences but he hasn't quite matched that form since. A fall on the return to the scene of his win didn't appear to shake his confidence as he ran well again last time; leading player.

Form: F82-1F3

Mercers Court^p⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: N B King| OR: 102| C

9/4

Took advantage of not only the good form of his stable in recent weeks but also the fall to a career-low mark last time out under a positive ride. Still well treated on his old form under a penalty but no banker to remain in form.

Form: 243451

Desert Retreat^b,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 108

6/1

Yet to win under Rules but did win a point-to-point in June before being switched back to hurdles and ran with credit on the first occasion. Failed to build on that and now back over fences (failed to take to them before).

Form: F-43125

Leg Lock Luke^b,t⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 107

10/1

Quirky and awkward sort who took an age to win over fences but has now done so twice (both with Harry Cobden riding). Travelled well when last seen to win at Ffos Las in May but has struggled off marks like this in the past.

Form: 1334-U1

Non-Runners

Moorlands George¹³⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 10

T: J Scott J: N de Boinville

Mortens Leam⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Mike Hawker J: Philip Donovan

Forecasts

Mercers Court (9/4), The Wicket Chicken (5/2), Kings Temptation (7/2), Desert Retreat (6/1), Moorlands George (6/1), Better Days (10/1), Leg Lock Luke (10/1), Mortens Leam (25/1)

The two last time out winners in this aren’t sure to be able to back up their victories with Leg Lock Luke never having won with Harry Cobden on board and Mercers Court despite being well treated even with a penalty in a much deeper race than he won last time. Moorlands George is an interesting candidate now having had a wind op and he’s on a mark that shouldn’t prove beyond him. Better Days should appreciate the ground but KINGS TEMPTATION has, fall apart started his chasing career well and still looks to have some improvement in him given this stamina test.