Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 0.1s

Sceau Royal²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 164| D

7/2

Smart horse who regularly bumped into Altior last season, with best performance coming when third in the Champion Chase (2m). Beaten 23L in Grade 1 Tingle Creek on seasonal reappearance. Should strip fitter from that.

Form: 14232-6

Duc Des Genievres^t1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 161| D

3/1

Star novice chaser last term with best performance coming with 13L demolition job in the Arkle (2m) at the Cheltenham Festival. Not good in two starts this term however including in Punchestown Grade 1 (2m4f) latest. Needs a bounce back.

Form: 311-348

Bun Doran²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 156| D

4/1

Last win came in handicap company over a year ago but consistent since, including when runner-up in 2m Newbury handicap chase last time. This is a massive step up and requires career-best.

Form: 5/122-52

Caid Du Lin^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 148| D

14/1

Experienced handicapper who has been a bit and out this season but notched game success in 2m Ludlow handicap chase on latest start. This is different class though and faces a tall order.

Form: 27-24P1

Capeland^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| D

7/4

Top notch handicapper over this trip and was infamously carried out two starts ago. Slammed his rivals at Ascot (2m1f) on latest start but has been found wanting in graded company before.

Form: 2284-D1

Forecasts

Capeland (7/4), Duc Des Genievres (3/1), Sceau Royal (7/2), Bun Doran (4/1), Caid Du Lin (14/1)

While the race has lost it's x-factor courtesy of Altior's withdrawal yesterday, it has opened up the opportunity for CAPELAND to open his graded account. The seven-year-old romped home by 12L at Ascot which has balloted him out of handicaps and could have the natural progression needed to take this contest. The form standard is set by Grade 1 winners Sceau Royal and Duc De Genievres, but both arrive here off the back of torrid efforts, while the ground is unlikely to be in favour for the former horse and last season's novice form is windy enough regarding the latter.