14:40 Leicester

Tuesday 22 January 2019

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:15

Racing TV Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 41.50s

The Happy Chappy^p1,t⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 112

7/1

4lb lower than last chase win at Ludlow 14-months ago. Out of sorts since, including in two starts since wind surgery. Cheekpieces fitted but has a bit to prove.

Form: 184-947

Riddlestown^b³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 109

12/1

Long in the tooth, but has been a prolific winner, largely at Southwell or Towcester. Goes into this on the same mark as when last winning in May. May have needed latest run after a break, but has a bit to prove.

Form: P-21478

Trigger Nichol^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 108

9/2

Best effort over hurdles was when second at Huntingdon (2m4f) last month. Slightly disappointing on chase debut here last time. Can't write him off after that, but he is another with a bit to prove.

Form: 34-F235

River Of Intrigue^p⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 107

12/1

Took him eight chases to get off the mark in a modest Plumpton contest in October. Has not run since pulled up in November. Makes debut for this trainer with cheekpieces back on. Not ruled out.

Form: 56-331P

Astracad¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 106

8/1

Veteran who was running well when tipping up last time out. Ran well to be second here over 2m4f two starts ago, and a repeat effort would see him in the mix.

Form: 377-P2F

Boughtbeforelunch^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber| OR: 103

3/1

Won at Southwell in November (2m4f, second start over fences) and after a blip next time, he recovered to run a respectable third at Warwick last time. Looks likely to get this trip and it may help him find some improvement.

Form: 3571U3

Leg Lock Luke^b⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 102| D

10/1

Made all to win at Ffos Las in May (3m, good); blinkers back on for this stable debut, and wouldn't rule out a revival after some inconsistent efforts.

Form: U1P365

Another Day Done^h,t1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 99

25/1

Showed promise on Wetherby chase debut (2m3f) last month. Pulled up back there over 3m last time, so has questions to answer. Tongue-tie returns.

Form: P7602P

Nomination Game^h¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 94

7/1

Maiden who showed up well here (2m4f, good to firm) last time at this track. Looks a candidate for honours based on that. Trainer won this race last year.

Form: P64352

Troika Steppes^b1²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 91| CD

8/1

Has completed just twice from his last 10 outings. Plenty to prove.

Form: P/P07PP

Forecasts

Boughtbeforelunch (3/1), Trigger Nichol (9/2), The Happy Chappy (7/1), Nomination Game (7/1), Astracad (8/1), Troika Steppes (8/1), Leg Lock Luke (10/1), River Of Intrigue (12/1), Riddlestown (12/1), Another Day Done (25/1)

Boughtbeforelunch ran well here last time and should get this trip, so he again looks a major player, but preference is for NOMINATION GAME. Trainer Robin Dickin won this race last year and after a good effort in second here last time, his gelding is taken to go one better. River Of Intrigue and Astracad are respected.