Introducing Racing TV Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 3m 56.62s

Middlebrow^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| C| D

12/1

A four-time winner over fences. His last success came at Ffos Las (2m) four starts ago. Could only finish fifth of seven on his last performance at Kelso (2m1f). Has been eased 2lb in the weights. One for the shortlist off this mark.

Form: 54-1545

Sporting Press¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 113| BF| CD

2/1

Recorded back-to-back wins over fences at the back end of last season at this course (2m4½f) and Kelso (2m1f) respectively. Was second of eight over this C&D on his latest outing, albeit 10L off the winner. One to consider.

Form: 13-53P2

Defi Sacre^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: R Hobson| OR: 111

1/1

A winner over fences in France. Came close to his first success in the UK last time when he was second of six at Fakenham over the extended 2m distance. Remains off the same mark. Leading contender.

Form: 5584-42

Sword Of Fate¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: L Kerr| OR: 111| D

25/1

His last success was at Newton Abbot (2m5f) in July 2018. Since then his form has taken a big dip. Has yet to be competitive in his three outings this season, including when he was seventh of eight over this C&D on his latest run. Hard to fancy.

Form: FP-FPP7

Effet Special^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108

14/1

Prevailed over fences at Nantes in France in June 2018. Has appeared five times in the UK without success so far. He was sixth of eight at Kelso (2m1f) last time out. Can't be ignored off this new low mark.

Form: 13-F736

Chain Of Beacons^t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: K Scott| OR: 96| D

11/1

Is on a losing stretch which goes back to November 2017 when he scored at Kelso (2m1f). Has been well held on his two runs in the campaign so far, including when he was fifth of 12 at Catterick (2m3f) on his latest effort. Others appeal more.

Form: 4327-25

Forecasts

Defi Sacre (1/1), Sporting Press (2/1), Chain Of Beacons (11/1), Middlebrow (12/1), Effet Special (14/1), Sword Of Fate (25/1)

DEFI SACRE is already a winner over fences as he scored in France very early into his career. He made one big mistake last time at Fakenham which probably cost him his chance but take him to go one place better here. Sporting Press was second over this C&D on his latest appearance and should be expected to be in the mix once again from this mark, while Middlebrow is now back down the weights which make him a serious contender again so he is likely to be in contention at the business end of the race.