Pragnell Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 29.90s

Topofthecotswolds¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| CD

6/4

Looks much better over the larger obstacles winning his last two in this sphere improving last time to record his second course win (first over this trip). Won despite a bad blunder (strong at the end of the race); up 10lb, bold bid assured.

Form: 2-22F11

Shoal Bay^b,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124

3/1

Early starts over fences left doubts about his suitability for this sphere (jumped poorly; looked lazy). Put those quirks to one side last time when winning at Worcester (2m4f), wore this headgear combination, that was a career-best, more needed.

Form: 45-2441

For Good Measure⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123WS

7/2

Took advantage of a much reduced mark when winning over hurdles at Huntingdon in May over 3m1f under today's rider. Respectable efforts next two starts but with quirks resurfacing; back from a break, returns to chasing (0-6), needs to raise game.

Form: 6F2-133

Fingerontheswitch^p,t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122| D

10/1

Given an easier task than normal at Worcester in June to resume winning ways over 2m7f off a 4lb lower mark. Went equally well when last seen (chance spoiled by uncharacteristic blunder); should be competitive after a short break.

Form: 133-P13

Play The Ace^b,t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| CD

5/1

Won this in 2017 (2lb higher mark) one of his four C&D victories. Not quite the force of old these days although he did run with credit when last seen at Bangor; kept on to finish third. Would need to return to his best to take this.

Form: P32343

Forecasts

Topofthecotswolds (6/4), Shoal Bay (3/1), For Good Measure (7/2), Play The Ace (5/1), Fingerontheswitch (10/1)

Although Play The Ace has been successful over C&D four times before his recent form leaves him short of the level needed to take this. TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS conversely is a contender very much on the up having proven himself over C&D last time (his second course win). The handicapper has raised him 10lb but he’s looked as though he can cope with that impost as he goes in search of a hat-trick. Shoal Bay showed his good side last time at Worcester scoring by an impressive 7L but he’s not guaranteed to produce that sort of form again. For Good Measure returns from a wind op and the biggest danger is likely to be Fingerontheswitch who should be competitive off this sort of mark.