Prince Carlton Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 25.76s

Midnight Shot^p⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 135| CD

5/1

C&D winner from a 5lb lower mark last October but brushed aside in better races at Cheltenham and Doncaster since. Eased in grade here and has won from a 2lb higher mark before now. Dangerous to omit without a betting check.

Form: 615165

Henryville¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: R T Dunne| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 134

20/1

Won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham a couple of seasons ago but has been on a downward spiral since. Has looked a shade of better days since joining his current yard and a leap of faith is required for him to turn back the clock.

Form: F069PU

Ballykan^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| D

5/2

Set to race from 7lb below his last winning mark despite showing signs of a return to form of late. Trainer excels with stayers and this fellow can provide a welcome distraction from what has been a lean Cheltenham Festival by his standards.,

Form: 422-242

Set List³¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 119| D

6/1

Ran well over a marathon trip here latest but is on a long losing run and wouldn't be one to trust implicitly to put in the same effort twice on the trot.

Form: 2/74P5-2

Sideways^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112| BF| C| D

10/11

Stays well and arrives in fair form after a win at Sedgefield in January and couple of subsequent near misses; one of which was at this course over a shorter trip. Needs a career best though.

Form: 631132

Forecasts

Sideways (10/11), Ballykan (5/2), Midnight Shot (5/1), Set List (6/1), Henryville (20/1)

BALLYKAN is well handicapped on old form and, given that he's shown signs of turning the corner, he edges the nomination in a tricky one to call. Midnight Shot drops in grade and has to be considered as a threat, while Sideways needs to post a career best but goes well at this course and is no forlorn hope if any of the others under perform.