Toalsbet Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 18.10s

Valseur Du Granval^t⁶⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-3| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 117| D

10/3

Generally struggled for form since scoring at Ludlow last April off 5lb higher mark. Handicapper has cut him some slack allowng him to drop in class. Yard in form and no surprise to see him run well at this level.

Form: 973676

Savello^h,t⁶⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 12-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 116| D

5/1

Veteran who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival. Not the force of old but still capable on his day in this company, and was decent second at Lingfield in November off 4lb higher mark.

Form: 03-5234

Ut Majeur Aulmes^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 112| D

11/2

Without a win for three years and jury is out on whether or not wind surgery earlier this term is helping his cause. 20lb lower than last success and appears to be on the downgrade.

Form: 3444-P4

Cybalko^p1⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 111

11/4

Still a maiden but went very close ver C&D on chasing bow in October and not disgraced at Plumpton last time off 1lb higher mnark. First time cheekpieces may well help his cause.

Form: 554225

Oliver's Gold^p¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 109| CD

7/1

Landed ninth career success when scoring over C&D under today's rider last spring off 14lb higher mark. Badly out of form in four starts so far this campaign, and hard to recommend on current form despite potentially favourable mark.

Form: 356670

Deise Vu^p¹¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: R Brotherton| OR: 104| CD

13/2

Won over C&D in October 2017, and also at Hereford last time out in November when made all for cosy success. 7lb higher now but profile suggests he may improve for the run.

Form: P62U21

Clonusker^t⁷²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 88| D

33/1

Was in fair form when last seen, but that was 721 days ago and best form is with plenty of give underfoot. Will do well to stay with them over this minimum trip after such a long absence.

Form: 53F122/

Forecasts

Cybalko (11/4), Valseur Du Granval (10/3), Savello (5/1), Ut Majeur Aulmes (11/2), Deise Vu (13/2), Oliver's Gold (7/1), Clonusker (33/1)

Questions marks hang over just about all the field so top weight VALSEUR DU GRANVAL is a tentative choice as he drops in grade and runs off his lowest mark for some time. With first time cheekpieces applies the junior member of the party Cybalko rates the biggest danger as he has gone well at this track before, while veteran Savello can't be ruled out having run with credit in his three starts this term. Deise Vu and Clonusker both have fitness concerns but any market support for either would be interesting.