Weatherbys VAT Services Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:13 | Winning time: 4m 16.80s

Paddy's Poem^t²²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 120| D

6/1

Made decent progress last term after going chasing, winning 2-5 starts, including at Huntingdon (2m½f, good; 11-4) in April when last spotted. 4lb higher on return and looks as likely as any in this field.

Form: 333121-

Pull Together²⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 117| D

13/2

Front-running and sometimes keen sort, a combination that failed to bring much joy in three chase starts last season. Drops in distance for return to action and improvement required.

Form: 221/6F7-

Cesar Du Gouet^p,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 116| D

8/1

Decisive winner of a handicap chase at Huntingdon (2m½f, good; 8-13) in May on second start for Olly Murphy; has failed to build on that since however and jumping a concern late in his races.

Form: 215245

Master Vintage^t⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 105| D

5/4

Good winner of novice handicaps at Market Rasen and Huntingdon recently, despite tendency to pull hard in front. Carries 7lb penalty now and far from certain to get his own way on the front end.

Form: 57P-511

Defi Sacre^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: R Hobson| OR: 111

9/4

Won French conditions chase for previous connections but out of luck in five starts over hurdles for current handler and things didn't go to plan reverting to fences at Huntingdon this month. That run might be best forgiven, however.

Form: 35584-4

Omega Springs¹³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: L Treadwell| T: D L Williams| OR: 100| D

25/1

Just a pair of wins in 39-race career, most recently a 2m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in September 2018 from 3lb higher mark. Efforts since are less than encouraging and perhaps best watched back from short break.

Form: 155F-94

Forecasts

Master Vintage (5/4), Defi Sacre (9/4), Paddy's Poem (6/1), Pull Together (13/2), Cesar Du Gouet (8/1), Omega Springs (25/1)

They won't be hanging about here, with plenty of confirmed frontrunners. Master Vintage has been in good heart recently with wins at Market Rasen and Huntingdon but the presence of Pull Together could well see him hassled for the lead he likes to enjoy. PADDY'S POEM is another that likes to lead and he made solid progress in this sphere last season. He should be capable of defying his new mark, with the Nick Gifford team in flying form right now. Defi Sacre should prove better than his recent Huntingdon effort suggested.