racingtv.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 4m 53.10s

Knockgraffon^p,t⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 141| BF| D

4/1

Only seen twice since he had wind surgery both times at Musselburgh winning there on New Year's Day (reduced mark) before running well again there last time. 3-8 over this trip and off a mark that doesn't look too onerous.

Form: F46/513-

Casablanca Mix²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| D

5/2

Still to totally convince over fences and has her quirks (often makes hard work of things). First GB run over hurdles in Britain last time off a break when beaten quickly; should benefit from a return to fences but yet to triumph in handicaps.

Form: F/22930-

Indian Temple^p⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Reed| OR: 136| D

6/1

Consistent chaser who likes to push the pace (second in this last year off 5lb lower) prior to winning at Perth (2m4f, good). Struggled a little off higher marks since then falling at the first over the Grand National fences last time; not ruled out.

Form: 16352F-

Lofgren^b,t¹⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 133| D

14/1

Scored in today's headgear combination at Bangor in October taking advantage of a weak race off a 1lb lower mark. Form since has been rather in-and-out but this is easier than the Doncaster test he faced last time and his mark is easing.

Form: 171P34-

Value At Risk¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

2/1

Unreliable sort who to his credit has put together two decent starts at Ayr and Uttoxeter although there's no guarantee that will happen again here. Back on his last winning mark so not ruled out but does come with obvious baggage to his chance.

Form: 51963-5

Acdc^h,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant| OR: 132| D

8/1

Set some stiff tasks of late (pulled up Scottish Grand National last time) after making a winning reappearance at Wetherby in October (career-best). Still looks to be racing of a tough enough mark although this grade is a little easier.

Form: 3/1434P-

Non-Runners

Dieg Man²¹¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Value At Risk (2/1), Casablanca Mix (5/2), Knockgraffon (4/1), Indian Temple (6/1), Acdc (8/1), Dieg Man (12/1), Lofgren (14/1)

Not a field packed with the most reliable types and although both Value At Risk and Casablanca Mix are capable of winning something like this neither come here with outstanding credentials and both have their quirks. Indian Temple will appreciate a return to this track after taking the runner-up slot in this last year and these fences will suit his front-running style a lot better. KNOCKGRAFFON always looks at home over this trip and despite losing his unbeaten Musselburgh record last time is taken to get back on the winning trail here; he’s a lot more reliable than all of these. Lofgren wouldn’t be out of this either although he would need to return to his autumn form.