Unibet Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 4m 3.50s

Capeland^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| D

1/1

Progressive chaser who has been well placed and continues to defy the handicapper, latterly when scoring narrowly at Ludlow. Has been raised to a career-high mark, but warrants considerable respect.

Form: 221121

Yorkist^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

6/1

Returned from a long lay-off to bolt up at Aintree in November. Nowhere near that form off 8lb higher at Cheltenham and has questions to answer off 2lb lower mark.

Form: 44/23-14

Poker School^p⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 130| CD

10/3

Returned to something like his best when runner-up at Ludlow in November. Down 1lb and represents respected connections, but has a long, losing sequence to end.

Form: 42-3592

Darebin^v²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 119| CD

7/2

Successful at Huntingdon in November, but has been held in two subsequent starts off this mark, latterly over C&D. Receives plenty of weight from his rivals and is ground-versatile.

Form: 4-23124

Forecasts

Capeland (1/1), Poker School (10/3), Darebin (7/2), Yorkist (6/1)

A disappointing turn-out given the prize money on offer, but cases can be made for all four runners and tactics will play a big part. With no obvious frontrunner in the race, it would be no surprise to see DAREBIN try to force the pace off his low weight and, if doing so, he may be able to run the finish out of his three rivals, who each seem to have their share of weight. Capeland is the most heavily penalised of these following his recent exploits, but he is progressive and has to be respected, while Yorkist comes with risks attached and Poker School may prefer a sounder surface.