18:40 Southwell

Tuesday 23 July 2019

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 4m 0.70s

Dark Invader^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 99| BF| D

10/3

Three-time winning chaser who revived to a certain extent last time off the back of a break although his jumping (as usual) was a little hit-and-miss. No match for the winner at Newton Abbot he's slipped 7lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 43585-2

Red Inca²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 97| D

11/2

On a long losing run under Rules (has won a point-to-point) but did run a sound race last time splitting two more highly-rated and younger rivals. Care needs to be taken with that form but it does place him on a lenient mark for his first handicap ch

Form: 431-252

Joly Maker¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 93

11/2

Modest enough sort over hurdles in Ireland/GB but has shown some promise in that sphere. Given a considerate introduction over fences at Uttoxeter (jumped well enough); looks the type to do better off a very workable mark on second chasing start.

Form: 258-336

Agentleman¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 92

12/1

Unreliable sort whose failed to make much of an impression in a finish since winning at Market Rasen last year. Weak finishes have become the theme with him (may not have seen out 2m3f last time); not hard to have doubts over his chance.

Form: 1-42535

Jacobite Rising^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 89| D

9/2

Well beaten on all five starts since returning from a lengthy absence with a wind op prior to his last run producing little improvement on his chasing debut. Folded tamely in that Uttoxeter race (was well supported); not one to make excuses for.

Form: 4/088-7P

Mariners Moon¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 84

6/1

Very hit-and-miss over fences and despite some reasonable placed efforts you are never quite sure if hit or miss is going to turn up. Pulled up over C&D on his penultimate start before producing a better effort last time (still finished weakly).

Form: 25P-2P2

Dragon Khan^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 75| D

9/1

Only poor these days over hurdles but did offer a little to work on when sent over fences the last twice; his most recent outing coming over C&D off a 3lb higher mark. Does look as though he needs further than this bare 2m though.

Form: 4/945-54

Cnoc Sion^b1²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: R Brotherton| OR: 72

14/1

Bangor winner last October springing a 66-1 surprise (had been given a chance by the handicapper) but hasn't really built on that run since apart from one outing at Warwick. Reverted to type last time; blinkers now tried for the first-time.

Form: 6355-27

Forecasts

Dark Invader (10/3), Jacobite Rising (9/2), Red Inca (11/2), Joly Maker (11/2), Mariners Moon (6/1), Dragon Khan (9/1), Agentleman (12/1), Cnoc Sion (14/1)

Several disappointing types take to the track here with weak finishes generally blighting the chance of Agentleman, poor jumping usually being the downfall of Dark Invader and the conundrum of knowing which version of Mariners Moon will turn up all meaning that backing them comes with risks attached. Red Inca can certainly be given a chance on his running at Worcester last time although this will be his first handicap and that form could prove unreliable. JOLY MAKER appears to be going to make a better chaser than hurdler and with his Uttoxeter experience safely tucked away he looks as though he can go a few steps better this time around in what looks a weaker event.