Kevin Mallon Celebrates 60th Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 50.2s

Cut The Corner³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: A Ralph| OR: 140| D

8/1

Handicap mark has taken a hit since his last victory. Never going at any stage on latest start over hurdles but a two month break and the booking of Richard Johnson (5-17 for stable) are positives.

Form: 10104P

Tempestatefloresco^b,t⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| C| D

6/1

Inconsistent nowadays and a poor third of five on his latest start. Scored on his only visit here and underfoot conditions are to his liking on return to chasing.

Form: 453743

Forever Field^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

11/4

Beat Black Corton at Worcester last year but a well-beaten eighth in this subsequently. Looked more like his old self when hurdling last month and cheekpieces fitted for return to fences. Trainer 31-89 with chasers here since 1988.

Form: 287-632

Creevytennant⁹⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace⁽¹⁰⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| D

7/1

Admirable veteran has not raced off a mark as low as this since June 2014 and highly regarded rider claims a further 10lb. Goes well fresh and happy to make the running, but needs to bounce back from two poor performances.

Form: 124-1P6

Belmount^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| CD

5/1

Goes well fresh and took his record when returning from a summer break to 4-5 when shouldering 12st to victory at Perth last month. Beaten almost 20L in this 12 months ago when conditions were similar to those forecast today.

Form: PP8-371

Roman Flight^v²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: N D Fehily| T: David Dennis| OR: 127

17/2

Undoubtedly well-handicapped on last year's form but he has lost his way recently. The distance last time was inadequate but best watched until showing more.

Form: 357473

Beau Du Brizais³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122

3/1

Both wins have come at Taunton and there are similarities between that track and this. Relatively inexperienced over fences but his second to Play The Ace last term reads well and his stable are in form.

Form: 2F22P-6

Forecasts

Forever Field (11/4), Beau Du Brizais (3/1), Belmount (5/1), Tempestatefloresco (6/1), Creevytennant (7/1), Cut The Corner (8/1), Roman Flight (17/2)

Cut The Corner, Forever Field and Belmount were all well beaten in this corresponding race 12 months ago, however this may be a less competitive renewal. Roman Flight is well-handicapped if the market suggests a return to his best seems likely, but it may pay to side with BEAU DU BRIZAIS on this occasion. His second to Play The Ace at Stratford is strong form and he had the subsequent Scottish National winner behind when second at Taunton on his next start. His stable are in good form currently and his latest run should have put him right for this.