Keogh & Hows Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 9.10s

Railroad Junkie^t¹⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118

6/1

Dual 2m chase winner last season at Warwick and Taunton off lower marks on both occasions. Flew a little higher than he needed to after his last win on a couple of occasions; now needs to prove himself off this mark returning from an absence.

Form: 341232-

Salto Chisco⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 118| D

5/1

Won two of his last three chasing starts but was extremely fortunate to do so last time (held in second when left clear in front at last). Only raised 1lb for that victory; may not be as lucky with the run of the race this time; others appeal more.

Form: 763161

Robin Des Mana¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 115

33/1

Returned from an extended break to deliver two poor efforts over first fences and then hurdles. Showed very little on either occasion; tailed off both times, now given another try over fences; hard to see him making an impression.

Form: 1334-66

Atlantic Storm^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: James Best| T: B R Summers| OR: 112| CD

3/1

C&D winner over fences in July (first try over fences after a wind op), cashing in on a falling mark to record his second chase win. Not the most convincing in a finish though; ran well last time (winner got first run); shortlisted.

Form: 3-35122

Bagan¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R Gretton| OR: 110| CD

11/4

Redeemed himself from a mishap on chasing debut to score in confident fashion over C&D last time despite being given plenty to do (jumped/travelled well). Race did look to fall apart a little so form has a question mark against it; up 7lb, respected.

Form: 493-4U1

King Cnut¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: C Hobson| OR: 109| CD

7/1

C&D winner in May for his former yard (Chris Gordon) before running poorly on his last start for that team. Slightly better on his first run for this yard at Fontwell last month (went in snatches); may benefit from an addition of headgear.

Form: 073-163

Adman Sam^p1³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 107

5/1

Three chase starts have so far failed to show him in a positive light; operating below his hurdles level each time. Ran no sort of race last time (didn't jump well); now equipped with first-time cheekpieces in a bid to stage a revival.

Form: 91/733P

Forecasts

Bagan (11/4), Atlantic Storm (3/1), Adman Sam (5/1), Salto Chisco (5/1), Railroad Junkie (6/1), King Cnut (7/1), Robin Des Mana (33/1)

Three C&D winners take one another on with BAGAN given the slight edge as he bids to follow up his C&D win here last time which looked unlikely at one stage of that contest. There remains a slight suspicion that the main players in that race underperformed but under a well judged ride by today’s pilot he scored nicely in the end; he’s still unexposed in this sphere. Atlantic Storm another of those successful around here before should run his race although his finishing efforts can be a little weak on occasions. King Cnut hasn’t been at his best since winning here but it would be folly to leave Railroad Junkie out of the equation as he returns to a more suitable grade off a break.