Betway Casino Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 5m 55.0s

Always Lion⁵⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 122| D

5/4

Very lightly raced and has clearly had injury problems. Has ability though and won 3m novices handicap chase after more than 500-day absence at Bangor in March 2017. Off 590 days since but can go well fresh on debut for new yard.

Form: 32021/1-

Born For War^v³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117| C

15/8

Failed to score in eight starts for Tom George but did show some promise. Beaten odds-on over hurdles on debut for current yard but won well over fences in first-time visor on latest start. Up 10lb and 4f more to travel but has clear chance.

Form: 8-22341

Just Minded^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 117WS

13/2

Won a bumper and a novice hurdle for Sue Smith and has second start for current yard following wind surgery. Looked doubtful stayer on only previous try at around this trip so has a bit to prove.

Form: FP342-4

Elmono²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113

11/2

Won 2-4 over hurdles in France back in 2015. Joined current yard in April 2018 and has run consistently in all six starts since. Just edged out over C&D last time and won't be far away off 3lb higher mark.

Form: 3-22322

Forecasts

Always Lion (5/4), Born For War (15/8), Elmono (11/2), Just Minded (13/2)

BORN FOR WAR is a tentative choice in a tight knit affair after appearing to turn over a new leaf when winning in good style last time. In the same ownership is top weight Always Lion who is talented but fragile and hasn't run for a very long time. He has won off a lay-off in the past though and is a real danger. Elmono will be thereabouts but may again find one or two too good off his higher mark, while Just Minded is by no means certain to see out the trip if they go a fair gallop.