14:40 Haydock

Saturday 18 January 2020

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:15

Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Grade 2 Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 44.60s

Definitly Red⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 156| C| D

9/1

Four-time Grade 2 winner in his prime but failed to win since second Many Clouds Chase win in December 2018. Fared better when fourth in Becher Chase (3m2f) last time and the National is likely main aim this season.

Form: 12B-544

Acting Lass^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 150

15/2

Has relatively few miles on the clock given his age and seems to have found his spark again. Good winner of Welsh Grand National Trial (2m7f) before solid second in 3m Listed chase at Ascot last month. Will act on the ground so respected.

Form: 19/P912

Flying Angel^v⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 146| BF

16/1

Grade 1 winner in his prime and just started to find some of his old form recently, winning at Ascot (2m5f) before 22L fourth in Grand Sefton Chase (2m5f) at Aintree. Needs to prove he stays this trip still though.

Form: 556-414

Vintage Clouds²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 143| CD

7/1

Adores this track and an admirable performer in recent and Welsh nationals during 2017/18. Third in Grade 3 Ultima Chase at last years Cheltenham Festival but not gone according to plan this season. More needed on recent C&D third (beaten 20L).

Form: 2F6-5P3

Red Indian²⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 143

5/1

Yet to really go on since chase debut victory over a year ago. Well beaten over fences at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f) before no show over hurdles at Aintree (3m) in April. Also engaged 3.00 Ascot.

Form: 7/14U00-

Champers On Ice^p,t³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 141

5/1

On a path of revival this season, winning competitive handicap hurdles at Ffos Las and Newbury (both 3m) before good third at Cheltenham (3m) last time. Back over fences on a workable mark. Shortlisted.

Form: 8/4P-113

Geronimo²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 137

6/1

Unexposed sort for his age, with only blip over fences so far coming in the Scottish National (4m) last season. Returned with fine victory at Newcastle (2m4f) last month. Proven at this trip and may have more to come.

Form: 3121P-1

Prime Venture^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 136

15/2

Remains a maiden over fences but that doesn't tell the whole story. Solid effort in last years Midlands National (4m2f) and more recently when staying on fourth in Welsh National (3m6f) last time. Will stay all day so each-way claims.

Form: 2349-44

Midnight Tune^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 134

13/2

Likeable mare who has a Grade 2 win over hurdles and won at a canter on last two chase starts, including at Exeter (2m) last time. Very versatile trip-wise and gets mares allowance. Respected.

Form: 0/2F-211

Claud And Goldie⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 133

25/1

11-year-old whose rules career has been blighted by injuries but returned from absence with good Kelso win (2m6f) on comeback effort. Now tried at this level and could be a belated improver.

Form: 53133-1

Forecasts

Red Indian (5/1), Champers On Ice (5/1), Geronimo (6/1), Midnight Tune (13/2), Vintage Clouds (7/1), Acting Lass (15/2), Prime Venture (15/2), Definitly Red (9/1), Flying Angel (16/1), Claud And Goldie (25/1)

In what looks to be an up to scratch renewal of this contest, many have reasonable claims but preference is for PRIME VENTURE. While he has proven to be slightly frustrating, he has improved in big staying handicap chases and sets the form standard on his Welsh National third. With testing ground in prospect, he will stay all day and the 7lb claim of his jockey is a further plus. Acting Lass possesses a progressive profile and proved his ability in these types of contests at Ascot last time, while the likes of the classy Definitely Red and Champers On Ice may have fine form books but may need to step up slightly in this sphere. The other northern horses shouldn't be ignored either.