Coral Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 21.30s

Adrrastos²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 137| D

6/1

Likeable prominent racer with a good record over fences (5-10); won three of his six starts since returning from 17 months off this year. Faces a career-high mark now after winning off 3lb lower last time; faces pace pressure here, tough task.

Form: 14-4131

Wells De Lune^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 137| CD

1/1

Sole course chase win came in this race last year (4-5 over hurdles here) having landed a valuable hurdle here over 2m1f two days before. Lost his unbeaten course record last time; 2m6f trip tested him, 8lb higher than last year (hard to rule out).

Form: 9-20413

Raise A Spark^h²⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 135| CD

8/1

Useful chaser (won maiden and handicap here), at home over this trip and further. Returns from a break (ran poorly when last seen) that run highlighting his poor form at the time. Mark looks to be high enough, found wanting against this crew.

Form: 2314R4-

Nietzsche^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 134

5/2

Useful over hurdles; taken well to chasing winning two of his three starts (travels well) resumed winning form when taking a Perth 2m novice last time (beat Tonto's Spirit). Goes handicapping for the first time over fences; little more needed.

Form: 03-0121

Ardera Cross^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 123| CD

8/1

Comes here on a hat-trick having won over fences (C&D), followed up in a weak handicap hurdle last time at Perth (beat two rivals). Likes to race prominently (like several others here); needs to improve again to defy this mark and work to do.

Form: 175411

Non-Runners

Tonto's Spirit²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: C O'Farrell

Teaser²⁸

Weight: 10-3| Age: 4

T: D Pipe J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Wells De Lune (1/1), Nietzsche (5/2), Teaser (7/2), Tonto's Spirit (4/1), Adrrastos (6/1), Ardera Cross (8/1), Raise A Spark (8/1)

A fascinating renewal of this decent handicap chase which should be run at a sound pace (several of these like to go forward). Last year’s winner WELLS DE LUNE is taken to record a second C&D chase victory despite a mark that’s 8lb higher than last year having lost his unbeaten course record last time. Old rivals Tonto’s Spirit and Nietzsche cross swords again this time in handicap company having met at Perth, the former having looked in good shape when scoring over C&D on Saturday. Adrrastos adds depth to the race along with the 4yo Teaser who will find this test examining his jumping after remaining unbeaten over fences last time but not looking the safest conveyance.