Rand Farm Park Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:07 | Winning time: 4m 36.4s

Zolfo^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J Candlish| OR: 121| D

3/1

In flying form in recent months, winning three of his last five. On a hat-trick after wins at Bangor (2m4½f/2m1½f; both heavy) but all wins have been left-handed. Has never shown his best this way round but hard to knock given recent form.

Form: 318511

Bandsman^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-5| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| CD

5/1

First or second in seven starts here but in moderate form of late, failing to complete in three of his last four. Just 1lb above when winning here (2m3f, good) in May. Against easier opposition now and has to be shortlisted despite recent efforts.

Form: 16P3PP

Cusheen Bridge^t¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 105| C| D

6/1

Well beaten in two starts since a 420-day absence at Huntingdon (2m4f) and Doncaster (3m). Hasn't won since November 2016, hasn't run over a trip this short since December 2015 and what ability remains is now open to question.

Form: 9383-64

Fort De L'Ocean⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 110

7/4

Didn't set the world alight in his first five starts (three in France, two for this yard). That changed at Catterick (1m7½f, soft) last week, being collared near the line on his second chase start. Gets a 5lb weight allowance and still unexposed.

Form: 6-67752

Maxed Out King⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 102

7/2

Bounced back to form to win at Sedgefield (2m½f, soft) last month and ran well at Catterick (1m7½f, soft) last Tuesday to finish third, beaten 7¾L. Has 7L to find, however, with Fort De L'Ocean and minor honours likely once again.

Form: 57/P613

Forecasts

Fort De L'Ocean (7/4), Zolfo (3/1), Maxed Out King (7/2), Bandsman (5/1), Cusheen Bridge (6/1)

A fascinating little heat in which a case can be made for four of the five runners. Despite his moderate form recently, BANDSMAN goes well at this course and it was only back in May he was successful in a better heat here. He also ran well at Carlisle three starts ago when not staying the 3m½f trip. Fort De L'Ocean is a danger to all, the four-year-old posting a career best at Catterick last week when looking like the winner jumping the last and remains unexposed whilst Zolfo is flying at the moment but his form right-handed tempers enthusiasm.