Cobnobs Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 27.60s

At Its Own Expense³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125

2/1

Improved from an encouraging chase debut at Sandown (2m4f; soft) in November to finish third at Taunton (2m2f; soft) next time out. Now steps back up in trip for bang in-form yard and should go very close on just his third chase start.

Form: 313-253

Minella For Me^t⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 123| D

12/1

Looks to have been unable to cope with the 10lb rise he was hit with for scoring easily at Kempton (3m; good to soft) last season. Mark is beginning to drop now, but more promise needs to be shown before faith is placed into him.

Form: 32116-7

Town Parks³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122| C| D

9/4

Losing run is beginning to mount up, and he has suffered heavy defeats the last twice. Subsequently 6lb below the mark he last won off at Hereford (2m5f; soft) almost two years ago. Vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 223-545

Night Of Sin¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: Nick Williams| OR: 121| D

5/1

Was well in contention prior to falling at the ninth on his seasonal reappearance at Leicester (2m4f; soft) recently. Must prove his wellbeing, but this is less competitive than that race which offers him the chance to bounce back.

Form: 67114-F

Almazhar Garde³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 124

3/1

Lightly raced sort who got off the mark at the second attempt over fences when cruising home at Catterick (2m3f; good to soft). That was a marked step up on his chase debut the time before, and he has leading claims off a 10lb higher mark.

Form: 448461

Forecasts

At Its Own Expense (2/1), Town Parks (9/4), Almazhar Garde (3/1), Night Of Sin (5/1), Minella For Me (12/1)

A small field event which offers Night Of Sin a chance to get back on track. He ended his 2018/19 campaign on a sour note, and fell when in the process of running well on his seasonal reappearance in a hot race for the grade at Leicester last month. For win purposes, this looks to concern ALMAZHAR GARDE and At Its Own Expense. It is a matter of time until the latter scores over fences, given the promise he has shown so far over the larger obstacles. However, preference is for the former who opened his chase account at the second time of asking in very likeable style last month. A 10lb rise demands more but he is lightly raced and is therefore open to plenty improvement.