Gold Cup Lunch 15th March Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 57.40s

Midnight Chill^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 120

3/1

Underwent wind surgery in the summer and 2-3 since returning to go chasing. Settled for 5L second at Leicester (2m, good to firm) latest from this mark after wins at Catterick and Sedgefield. Up in trip and one to consider.

Form: P3-0112

Spring Wolf³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 112

6/1

Fair effort at Exeter in race won by Defi De Seuil in December over 2m3f (soft) considering he was returning from three-year absence. Back there to score on New Year's Day and could have more to offer on the strength of that.

Form: 238P/61

Minellatillmorning⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 110| C

13/2

Up in trip and switched to handicaps saw him improve over hurdles last year although both his wins came in lowly company. Unconvincing chase debut at Chepstow (2m7½f, good to soft) in November, drop back in trip may help.

Form: 79112-0

Cracking Destiny¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Ian Williams| OR: 110

6/4

Ex-Nicky Henderson inmate, he doesn't always find as much as might look likely when the pressure is applied. Comes here off a maiden win in novice handicap at Wincanton (2m4f, good) and doesn't have many miles on the clock. Needs considering.

Form: 6-57321

Drops Of Jupitor⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 109

33/1

Looked a useful hurdler last year but all went wrong very quickly and although she often travels well enough in her races, finds little when the taps are turned on. On a good mark but plenty to prove regarding well-being at present.

Form: 664P-F5

Cigarisi²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 109

5/1

2m maiden hurdle winner on heavy ground in February 2017 at Plumpton. Spent 591 days away before trio of poor runs over hurdles recently and doesn't make much appeal tackling fences first time this afternoon.

Form: 316/6P6

Non-Runners

Railroad Junkie¹⁶

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: Evan Williams J: S Bowen

Legend Lady³⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 8

T: Miss J Du Plessis J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Cracking Destiny (6/4), Midnight Chill (3/1), Railroad Junkie (7/2), Cigarisi (5/1), Spring Wolf (6/1), Minellatillmorning (13/2), Legend Lady (25/1), Drops Of Jupitor (33/1)

Former Seven Barrows inmate Cracking Destiny is low-mileage and comes here having notched a first win at Wincanton. There should be more to come but he's not known for responding to pressure and, with the handicapper having added a fair chunk, it would be preferable to see him do it again before supporting. SPRING WOLF has come back from a long-absence and scored nicely at Exeter last month, he can back that up today. Wind surgery has done wonders for Midnight Chill, 2-3 over fences, and likely to have a key say in this contest.