Skinner's Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 4m 4.30s

Adrrastos³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 133| CD

5/2

Lightly-raced but very capable chaser having won two of his four recent starts; didn't need to improve to win a small-field affair at Fontwell last time (made all). Won't have things all his own way here though but still of interest (jumps well).

Form: 3P/14-41

Ink Master^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 127| C| D

8/1

Looks one who thrives on quick ground in the summer months having rattled up a hat-trick last year at this time (won a selling hurdle here followed by two handicap chases). Back to form off a slipping mark last time (made running; held on late).

Form: 2F44-31

I'dliketheoption^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

10/3

Dual chase winner last summer in small-field affairs around Worcester and Newton Abbot (suited by a well-run race at this trip). Two starts this year (needed both), ran with credit last time (race not run to suit); every chance this will prove ideal.

Form: 12354-3

Dandridge^p,t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125

3/1

Former very smart chaser who isn't capable of that level of form now but his mark reflects that; race he ran in over C&D last time is working out well. Given a slightly easier task now and can't be ruled out given his back class.

Form: 7/328-33

Mullinavat¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Candlish| OR: 122

40/1

Looked much in need of the run on his GB/Stable debut over hurdles having been useful over hurdles/fences when trained in Ireland (Henry de Bromhead). This will be his first run over fences for a year; likely to find this a bit too warm.

Form: 111/34-6

Regulation²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 118| C| D

8/1

Made a belated chasing debut off the back of a pulled-up hurdles start but matched his best hurdles form straight way with a course win over 2f further. Followed that up with another front-running victory; unable to dominate when below-par last time.

Form: 5F-P113

Atlantic Storm^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: James Best| T: B R Summers| OR: 108| C| D

8/1

Last three runs have all come over hurdles (latest pair after wind surgery); made a reasonable return after op but ran poorly last time (race may have come too soon). Mark looks workable; overall profile isn't a solid one in the context of this race.

Form: 5543-35

Forecasts

Adrrastos (5/2), Dandridge (3/1), I'dliketheoption (10/3), Atlantic Storm (8/1), Regulation (8/1), Ink Master (8/1), Mullinavat (40/1)

One thing is for certain in this contest is that we should not lack for pace with a few of these at their best when they can go forward and set the pace in what is likely to be a tight betting contest. Adrrastos, Ink Master (best in the summer) and Regulation have all been seen at their best when making the pace and if they all want to go forward here that could result in a pace collapse which will suit one of the closers. The two that feature in that category would be Dandridge and I'DLIKETHEOPTION with the last-named the suggestion having looked as though he’s running into form with his best performances coming in a strongly run race like the one he’s almost sure to get here.