Cleanevent Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 6m 19.1s

Sizing Granite^p,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147| C

4/1

Course winner (Grade 1 novices' chase in 2015; 2m) although never really built on that form. Still capable of some decent form and looks to be his best for some while as two recent placed efforts would attest; this is easier than his last two starts.

Form: 66502-3

Forever Field^p¹⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137

16/1

Useful hurdler/chaser but without any winning form since June 2017 (only 1-9 over fences). Ran up to his best at Ludlow (3m, good/firm) on his penultimate start before being pulled-up when last seen (reportedly bled); best watched.

Form: 7/6322P-

Oldgrangewood^p1,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

6/4

Fact that he was well supported in the market over C&D last time reflected that a return to form was expected having fallen 8lb below his last winning mark. Only beaten by two progressive sorts (travelled well); makes plenty of appeal on that effort.

Form: P4/9693-

Van Gogh Du Granit^b⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 128

11/2

Reproduced his useful French chasing form when cashing in on a drop in grade at Market Rasen last time; drawing clear to win 13L. 2lb well-in under his penalty he will have to show more here to follow-up on his win however.

Form: 74320-1

Minella Daddy^b,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 130

4/1

The return of some headgear coupled with a break/reduced mark proved to be the catalysts for a return to form at Haydock last month over 3m4f. Back up in the weights here he had a hard race last time (had post-race heat stress); others persuade more.

Form: 2706P1-

Kings Monarch³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 128

7/1

Landed back-to-back chasing handicaps earlier in the year taking a stride forward each time. Found the increased grade too competitive last time (made mistakes; raced from out of the weights); may be a similar story here.

Form: 4/50115-

Forecasts

Oldgrangewood (6/4), Minella Daddy (4/1), Sizing Granite (4/1), Van Gogh Du Granit (11/2), Kings Monarch (7/1), Forever Field (16/1)

The run that OLDGRANGEWOOD turned in over C&D last time will if he can repeat that display be good enough to reward him with a victory as there are no progressive types to bump into this time around. The handicapper has kept him on a mark of 137 and with the cheekpieces going on for the first time he’s the leading player in this. He won’t have it all his own way though as Sizing Granite has indicated that he’s his way back to something near his best of late having run a big race at Punchestown last time. Market Rasen winner Van Gogh Du Granit has to be respected but his penalty will make life tougher for him and he meets two potentially well handicapped sorts in this.