15:55 Wincanton

Thursday 17 October 2019

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:25

Trethowans Solicitors Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 6m 22.8s

Terry The Fish^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

16/1

Three-time hurdle winner getting the hang of chasing last season but was below par on recent return. Entitled to have needed that run so may come forward now. Trip and ground ideal.

Form: 0/3P22-8

Forgot To Ask^t¹¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 123| BF

5/1

Winner over 2m3½f at Ffos Las in May followed that up with a fair effort over 3m at the same track next up in finishing third. Could improve again in second season chasing but this trip remains an unknown.

Form: FF33-13

Barbrook Star^p¹⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122| CD

9/2

March C&D winner flopped subsequently at Chepstow (seventh of eight) continuing rather inconsistent run of form. Didn't run badly first time out last season and the sort who may go well fresh.

Form: 433817-

I See You Well¹⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121

25/1

Looked at the mercy of the handicapper both over fences and hurdles where he enjoys a lower mark at the end of last season after winning at Plumpton. 6lb higher than that still as he returns today.

Form: 51FU44-

Keltus^t¹⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 120

8/1

Four-time winner for Paul Nicholls (not since 2016), best effort for this yard when second to Southfield Vic (won three more since) in Hunters' Chase here in April. Respected but handicap form not quite as compelling.

Form: 062/382-

Bramble Brook^b,t⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 119| C

9/1

Previous course winner placed five consecutive times this summer on his favoured good ground before finally missing the target on good to soft latest. Again in the mix for a place if the rain stays away.

Form: 3-23224

Sporting Boy^p,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Aspell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 118| C

10/1

11-time winner arguably better over hurdles where he recorded another good effort in second last time out. Last chase win came in 2017 but he was third (of six) when last over fences in the summer.

Form: 513PP2

Stockburn¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 117

12/1

Winner at Bangor over 3m penultimately before finding only easy winner Bally Longford too good next at Ffos Las over the same trip (Forgot To Ask second). Leading claims and looks likely to appreciate slight step up in trip.

Form: 7743-12

Wilberdragon^p,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| C

11/1

Worcester winner in July off a much reduced mark but pulled up next and struggled latest. Ran better in between back over hurdles but on balance others look safer bets here.

Form: 3-41P26

River Of Intrigue^p¹⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 115| CD

14/1

C&D winner last April ran well next at Ffos Las before shade disappointing in the summer at Newton Abbot. Trip and ground suit well but still has to prove this mark 5lb higher than last win is within range.

Form: P521-24

Flying Verse^b,t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 112

9/2

Took chase record to 2-4 when winning over 2m6½f at Stratford latest after winning earlier over 3m2f at Newton Abbot. Two other chase runs dismal so not entirely consent but has leading claims on latest showing.

Form: 255151

Bertie Boru¹¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray| OR: 105| C

33/1

Veteran hasn't won since 2017 and more misses than hits when last seen in summer so up against it here facing younger less exposed rivals.

Form: 8/74P-46

Forecasts

Flying Verse (9/2), Barbrook Star (9/2), Forgot To Ask (5/1), Keltus (8/1), Bramble Brook (9/1), Sporting Boy (10/1), Wilberdragon (11/1), Stockburn (12/1), River Of Intrigue (14/1), Terry The Fish (16/1), I See You Well (25/1), Bertie Boru (33/1)

STOCKBURN and Forgot To Ask are very closely matched on their clash at Ffos Las last time out but the former got the verdict in finishing second and he looks the more assured stayer which going up 1f in trip is enough to predict the finishing order remaining the same. The other obvious contender is improving Flying Verse even though he isn't entirely reliable.