Tennent's Lager Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 14.6s

Saint Leo^t⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: A M Thomson| OR: 135| D

3/1

Hurdle/chase winner when trained in France (all soft/heavy). Improved on British debut effort when tried at Wetherby (1m7f) last time. 2lb drop and drop in grade can both help make him get much more competitive.

Form: 115F-54

Charmant⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 133| BF| CD

13/2

Reappeared with easy win at Sedgefield (2m, good) in November, and backed that up at Kelso from 8lb higher. Held after further 9lb rise last time, so bit to prove now.

Form: 424-114

Tonto's Spirit^h⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 131| C| D

9/1

Multiple winner across the two codes. Should ensure an honest gallop here, and ran well from this mark last time. More needed on stable debut, but should be thereabouts.

Form: 342-132

Forest Des Aigles^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 131| C| D

9/2

Progressed nicely last year, but after winning on his reappearance, the handicapper may now have his measure. Drop in trip is also a concern for this 3m winner.

Form: 11P-157

Granville Island⁷⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 129| D

25/1

Mudlark who completed a hat-trick in early 2018. Has struggled to cope with similar or slightly higher grade to this in recent starts, however.

Form: 3111-76

Clan Legend^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 127| CD

5/1

Another mud lover, who has won twice here over hurdles at this sort of trip. Held both runs this term, but probably needs to be close to his best ever effort to win.

Form: 412U-54

Treshnish⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 123| BF| D

3/1

Scored at Newcastle two starts ago, but perhaps the race came a bit too soon for him when he was well held a week later. Returns fresh after a short break, and can't rule him out.

Form: 7-54415

Forecasts

Treshnish (3/1), Saint Leo (3/1), Forest Des Aigles (9/2), Clan Legend (5/1), Charmant (13/2), Tonto's Spirit (9/1), Granville Island (25/1)

Tonto's Spirit should ensure that this is a true-run contest, and while he is not ruled out, he could set things up for SAINT LEO, who may find some joy at this level. Treshnish may be able to shrug off a poor run last time, now that he has had a break.