16:05 Wincanton

Saturday 16 February 2019

All13:1013:4514:2015:0015:3016:0516:3517:10

Betway Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 31.50s

Marcilhac⁴²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

15/2

Soft-ground winner over 3m at Ludlow 11 months ago. Rated 13lb higher here and has been in and out in four runs this season, leaving a growing concern that Ludlow is his favoured venue.

Form: 51/P252-

Grand Vision⁵¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Kimber⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 136| C

13/2

Bold jumping grey that won from a 1lb lower mark here (2m4f, heavy) last year before an honourable sixth in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. Will be fitter for an outing in December and the softer the ground the better now.

Form: 1216F-7

Final Nudge^p,t1⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: James Davies| T: David Dennis| OR: 135| CWS

15/2

No win since Newbury novice over this sort of trip two years ago, though has often found himself in ultra-competitive staying handicaps since. Mark sliding and, while pulled up in Welsh National, could go well in first-time tongue tie here.

Form: 359F-0P

Kerrow⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: A King| OR: 134| D

8/1

Taunton winner over 3m1f (good) in late 2016 but still rated 8lb above that mark and has failed to complete in two starts back after a 600+-day layoff. Was in the mix when falling at Bangor in November however so not totally discounted.

Form: 6126/FP

Ask The Weatherman^p⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: Jack Barber| OR: 133| CD

15/2

Prolific point-to-point winner and 2-6 over regulation fences so far though nothing since 2017. Returned from 283-day absence (underwent wind op) to win over hurdles at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in December. Far from reliable, but worth a market check.

Form: 1/1PPP-1

Like The Sound^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 131| C

8/1

Possibly helped by positive ride plus a first-time tongue tie when scoring last month over C&D. Jumped better than usual and should remain competitive but does have to prove himself off a 9lb higher mark.

Form: 12/2621

Ballykan^p,t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131| D

5/1

Experienced nine-year-old, without a win since 2016 but can run fair races when he's in the mood. Three-times a runner-up during 2018, essentially well held each time and possible aiming for similar fate now, at best.

Form: 0422-24

Quite By Chance^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| C

11/1

5-37 over fences, though without a win since 2016. Underwent a wind operation prior to returning from a break at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) last month. Tailed off there and has plenty to prove at the moment.

Form: 525848

Some Chaos⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 127| BF

8/1

Won his first two starts for this yard at Bangor and Market Rasen (including over 3m) before finding one too good over C&D in December. Too many jumping mistakes in 3m2f Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day and came home tired. Needs career-best.

Form: 94/1125

Overland Flyer^t¹¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126WS

13/2

Well-backed in all three chase starts. Runner-up in small-field events at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) and here (2m4f, good) in May, then pulled up at Worcester (2m7f, good) on return in October. Off since, yard in form for this return to action.

Form: 14/P-22P

Forecasts

Ballykan (5/1), Grand Vision (13/2), Overland Flyer (13/2), Ask The Weatherman (15/2), Final Nudge (15/2), Marcilhac (15/2), Some Chaos (8/1), Kerrow (8/1), Like The Sound (8/1), Quite By Chance (11/1)

GRAND VISION won around here last year over a shorter trip and is rated just a pound higher now. He's likely going to be fitter for his return at Chepstow and the 10lb claimed on his back makes the veteran an intriguing runner. With the Tizzard team in form, he should go close. This is wide open, with Final Nudge respected dropped in class from a decreasing mark and Some Chaos likely better suited here than he was at Cheltenham last month. Kerrow wasn't done when he fell at Bangor last time, so a betting check is advised on Alan King's runner.