Boongate Kia Sportage Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 9.50s

Cesar Du Gouet^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 116| BF

8/13

Ex-Irish gelding who tried to make all here over hurdles 18 days ago after absence on debut for current yard. Eventually came home second and should strip fitter now he reverts to chasing.

Form: 7/4342-2

Opechee⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Shoemark| T: L Egerton| OR: 95

5/1

Only win from 16 attempts over fences came at Stratford last August. Can be clumsy but ran well enough over 2m3f at Market Rasen last time to suggest he is a danger in this company if there is a fair gallop.

Form: P32-773

Chivers¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 94| BF

5/2

Started favourite on last seven starts but only won one. Third in Worcester h'cap hurdle last time having been third in Wincanton h'cap chase time before. 1lb lower but is becoming expensive to follow.

Form: 13443-3

Non-Runners

Cosmic King³⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Cesar Du Gouet (8/13), Cosmic King (2/1), Chivers (5/2), Opechee (5/1)

COSMIC KING is marginally preffered to top weight Cesar Du Gouet in a trappy affair. He took well to fences when wining over C&D last time and the form has been given a boost since. Cesar Du Gouet is entitled to improve for his recent spin over hurdles following a break and has every chance, while Opechee has a chance if picking his hooves up, and Chivers, although one for the bookies Christmas card list, can't be ruled out of the equation either in a tight-knit affair.