BetVictor Smartcards Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 7m 29.43s

Ramses De Teillee^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 153| C

11/4

Progressed on an upward trajectory through the handicap last year developing into a smart staying chaser before being pulled up in the Grand National. Tuned up for this season with a course victory over hurdles (3m, made all); leading player.

Form: 5122P-1

West Approach²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 142| BF

11/4

Regular customer at this course; has never won here in 15 attempts; now gone the best part of two years without a win. Finished a good second here last time (coaxed into contention, found little); even under a tender ride opposable for win purposes.

Form: 22966-2

Big River^t²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 139WS

9/2

Strong stayer who often makes mistakes but despite that trait has returned some meritorious efforts in big-field handicap chases (Ultima at the Festival/Scottish National); placed in both. Yet to win a handicap over fences; needs to avoid errors.

Form: 12/F645-

Pop Rockstar^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 138

9/1

Confirmed the promise of his early chase starts when opening his account at Chepstow in April; followed up after six months off at Carlisle (travelled powerfully). This will be his toughest test so far in terms of trip/mark; hard to ignore though.

Form: 572F1-1

Relentless Dreamer^p,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 137| C

14/1

Lightly-raced of late but is a course winner off a 3lb lower mark and shaped encouragingly on his seasonal return at Chepstow. Failed to build on that when pulled up at Ascot last time (made a bad mistake); has to now bounce back from that mishap.

Form: 64/31-3P

Achille^p²²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

10/1

Staged an excellent campaign last season (won three times) getting the better of a tight finish when last seen at Ffos Las (3m). Generally jumps well (prominently ridden); yard do well at this time of year especially with those returning from breaks.

Form: 2/211P1-

Potters Legend^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 132

7/1

Often held back by his jumping over fences he finally came good off a reduced mark at the end of the 2017/18 season at Haydock (testing conditions). Returned over hurdles after 19 months off over hurdles here without usual headgear (now returns).

Form: P64F1/5

Forecasts

West Approach (11/4), Ramses De Teillee (11/4), Big River (9/2), Potters Legend (7/1), Pop Rockstar (9/1), Achille (10/1), Relentless Dreamer (14/1)

This 3m3f trip could be a real test of attrition in the conditions and with one or two of these having jumping problems that trait could well play a part also. Carrying 11-12 in these conditions is going to be tough and that’s the test set for Ramses De Teillee after his tune up over hurdles here last month. He’s much respected but POP ROCKSTAR stepping up in trip is an intriguing contender with his smooth travelling style and slick jumping looking ideal for this test. West Approach is sure to feature at some point but his weak finishing tendencies preclude him from being considered for a win. Achille and Big River if he can keep the mistakes to a minimum being of more interest in this slog.