13:30 Wincanton

Thursday 6 December 2018

All12:2513:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:40

Weatherbys Racing Bank Silver Buck Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:08 | Winning time: 6m 28.0s

Mercers Court²³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 126| BF

20/1

Eight-time chase winner completed a hat-trick between August and October and has finished second the last twice. Only went down by ½L over 2m7½f at Huntingdon latest and despite a further handicap rise he will again make a bold bid.

Form: 511122

Reikers Island²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

5/1

Cost £60,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point and won once in three hurdle starts at Fontwell last season. Pleasing start over fences at Exeter (3m) last month when third of 11 and potential to be better in this code so not ruled out.

Form: 31F15-3

Cobolobo²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123

9/2

Pulled-up in final two starts last term but proved that chasing will be the making of him when almost providing a huge upset at Ffos Las when a short-head second to Albert Bartlett winner Kilbricken Storm. Potential huge off this mark.

Form: 2/18PP-2

Some Chaos²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 122

9/4

Maiden for Charles Whittaker in 2016/17 but returned from 613 day absence for new connections with two chase wins at Bangor and Market Rasen by 7L and 10L respectively. Up 13lb for latest but that not enough to rule him out by any means.

Form: 7794/11

Flaming Charmer^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 122| C

22/1

Gained fifth success over fences latest at Chepstow although booked for second until leader fell at the last. That win over 2m3½f and never won beyond 2m4f so the trip here would have to be a concern although he's twice been C&D placed.

Form: 4545-51

Captain Buck's^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122

4/1

Yet to win in nine chase races although placed in six of them. Close third over C&D to start the campaign but only sixth here next in a tougher contest. Handicapper offers respite and must have a chance now off a career low mark.

Form: 203-436

Wizards Bridge^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 121| D

12/1

Third as favourite in this race last year and won twice subsequently at Chepstow and Fontwell. 11L third at Fontwell latest a return to form after two substandard efforts and now back to last winning mark so not one to rule out here.

Form: P11P-43

Royal Palladium¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| D

20/1

Over two years since his last win although only ran six times since. Fell at the first on recent reappearance and ended last term with back-to-back pulled ups. Best form would undoubtedly give him a chance but risky proposition at present.

Form: P6/3PP-F

Canyouringmeback³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 120

33/1

Ended last, and started this campaign with 2m4f wins at Huntingdon. Going well next here over 3m before unseating three out but pulled up a long way out next at Exeter and reportedly broke blood vessels. Hard to be confident now.

Form: 6-211UP

Ruperra Tom^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 102

12/1

Three-time winner in point-to-points is yet to win under rules although arguably ran career best over C&D latest when ¾L second despite rider losing his whip at the last. This considerably tougher and best form on genuine fast ground.

Form: 112P-32

Forecasts

Some Chaos (9/4), Captain Buck's (4/1), Cobolobo (9/2), Reikers Island (5/1), Ruperra Tom (12/1), Wizards Bridge (12/1), Mercers Court (20/1), Royal Palladium (20/1), Flaming Charmer (22/1), Canyouringmeback (33/1)

A competitive field for this valuable contest but the potential fly in the ointment is the only once raced over fences COBOLOBO for Jonjo O'Neill. This absolute giant of a horse always looked likely to be considerably better over fences than hurdles and his short head second to a Grade One winner first time up was evidence of that. He could be thrown in now over fences off this sort of mark so is fancied to take this. Hat-trick seeking Some Chaos, ultra-consistent Mercers Court and attractively handicapped Captain Buck's are all potential threats if the selections inexperience finds him out.