Unibet Download The App Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 2.20s

Amour de Nuit¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| BF| CD

9/4

Won three of five over fences although those came in four, three and two runner fields and he was the lone finisher in the two runner race. Shade disappointing latest (second of three) but only 4lb higher than prior handicap win so respected here.

Form: F-11512

Mercian Prince²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 139| CD

9/4

Last year's winner of this race followed up at Wetherby before struggles at Cheltenham and Ayr in warmer contests. Well beaten in two races this season including after a wind-op latest but win last year came out the blue too so can't rule him out.

Form: 1105-67

Casse Tete⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| D

9/2

2m4f Warwick winner last season then finished midfield at Cheltenham and Aintree festivals when upped to 3m1f. Unseated on return this season and withdrawn from a race since. Still relatively lightly raced and may prefer this trip.

Form: 77189-U

Poker School^p⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 129| CD

5/2

Two career chase wins both came in 2016. Gained place money the last twice but in small fields and remains little to suggest current handicap mark will be one he can take advantage of.

Form: 2-35923

Forecasts

Mercian Prince (9/4), Amour de Nuit (9/4), Poker School (5/2), Casse Tete (9/2)

With the recent form of his rivals sorely lacking AMOUR DE NUIT can continue his ascent as a young chaser and gain a fourth win in this his sixth start. His jumping has definitely improved with experience and with a good round here he will be hard to beat. Mercian Prince won this race last year and a repeat is far from out of the question although he must step up a good bit on efforts this season. Casse Tete looked like one with more to give when winning at Warwick last season and has had excuses in three starts since then.