Inkerman London Handicap Chase

Off time: 20:08 | Winning time: 4m 0.70s

Theflyingportrait^t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J Candlish| OR: 134| CD

9/4

His win in this in 2017 came at the end of a golden spell which saw him win seven out of ten races. Fourth in this last year he's continually defied the handicapper although his last two starts leave some questions for him to answer; hard to rule out

Form: 21074-3

Capital Force³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: M Keighley| OR: 133| D

2/1

Useful over hurdles he's shown up well on two runs for this yard especially when switched back to fences last time at Ludlow (2m, good). Seen to good effect there (suited by strong pace/race falling apart); has to cope with a 7lb higher mark.

Form: 52095-1

Ashoka^p,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

6/5

Usual headgear resumes it's use here although being without cheekpieces didn't hamper him last time when returning from a year of to score at Southwell. Sensibly given a break since then his last form looks strong; only raised 4lb, sound claims.

Form: P414/2-1

Fago^t³⁹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: L Allan| OR: 118| BF

25/1

Enigmatic and quirky sort when with Paul Nicholls; never fulfilled his potential and his form in three runs for Patrick Griffin was poor to say the least. PTP winner (on debut) before returning under Rules; well held in a hunter chase last time.

Form: 6PP12/4-

Non-Runners

Empresario²⁶

Weight: 10-9| Age: 10

T: J Coulson J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Ashoka (6/5), Capital Force (2/1), Theflyingportrait (9/4), Empresario (16/1), Fago (25/1)

With Fago and Empresario hard to recommend on recent form between the flags this boils down to a three-cornered affair between the other protagonists. Theflyingpotrait has form in this race having won this two years ago and finished fourth last year but there’s a suspicion that this ground will prove a little too testing for this likeable sort who could get a soft lead but has work to do with Capital Force on their Ludlow meeting last time. The race set up well for the Martin Keighley inmate at the Shropshire course but ASHOKA defied a 12-month absence last time and sensibly given a break since that run and only raised 4lb he’s the suggestion with the Southwell race having worked out well.