14:10 Warwick

Wednesday 22 January 2020

All13:0013:3514:1014:4015:1515:4516:15

Askews Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 42.10s

Broadclyst^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 121

9/2

Very lightly raced for an eight-year-old, and he almost got off the mark at the second attempt over fences when a neck-second at Wincanton (3m1f; heavy) on Boxing Day. Top-weight to defy, but unexposed and cheekpieces may yield more out of him.

Form: 23972-2

Fleminport^p1²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

7/2

Yet to win a race in six attempts over fences, and he has work to do to reverse form with Broadclyst, despite the 10lb pull in the weights with him. Drops into a class 4 chase for the first time, but first-time cheekpieces need to revitalise him.

Form: 624-885

Goodnight Charlie^b¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 120| CD

14/1

Drops back into this grade after pulling-up in competitive events the last twice, most recently the Classic Chase at this track earlier in the month. Tends to run well at this track, but she is still 3lb above her last winning mark.

Form: P1-35PP

Goodtoknow^b⁵⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 115| D

20/1

Mark continues to tumble, but this veteran was beaten 30-length into third at Uttoxeter (3m; heavy) when last seen in November. 6lb below last winning mark, and yard are going well. Needs to step up significantly on his efforts this season though.

Form: P2D/4-73

Lord In Red^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 113

28/1

Overall profile suggests he prefers fast ground, and he has failed to complete the last twice (pulled-up on both occasions). Also, has a career-high mark to defy and others have less negatives surrounding them.

Form: P121PP

Irish Octave^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 112| C

25/1

Still 5lb above last winning mark, and was in trouble prior to falling two from home on is return from a short break at Ludlow (3m1f; good to soft) two weeks ago. Something to prove off the back of that.

Form: 413-15F

Coopers Square²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: T H Weston| OR: 107| C| D

7/1

Gone right off the boil the last twice after previously looking an extremely reliable/consistent sort. Tailed off at Wincanton (3m1f; good) last month, and was then pulled-up at Exeter (3m; soft) on New Year's Day when struggling badly.

Form: 112-20P

From The Heart^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 106

9/4

Raised 7lbs by the handicapper for opening his account over fences at Taunton (2m7f; soft) last month. Only had the two starts over fences though, so open to plenty more improvement and stable are currently enjoying a 28% strike-rate.

Form: 80-4821

High Counsel^p²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁷⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 97| C| D

11/2

Chasing a hat-trick after scoring over 3m at this track 22 days ago. Form of that recent victory has since been franked by the third. However, he has been raised 6lb for that victory and has never won off a mark as high as this before.

Form: 753211

Forecasts

From The Heart (9/4), Fleminport (7/2), Broadclyst (9/2), High Counsel (11/2), Coopers Square (7/1), Goodnight Charlie (14/1), Goodtoknow (20/1), Irish Octave (25/1), Lord In Red (28/1)

From The Heart stepped up on what was a likeable chasing debut to go one better when opening his account over fences last month. He is only a six-year-old, so it is unlikely that a 7lb rise will halt his progress. The one to stick with looks to be BROADCLYST though who is incredibly unexposed for an eight-year-old. He has stepped up markedly on his performances over hurdles, and the form of his second last time out looks the strongest on offer. He can make it third time lucky over the bigger obstacles. Fleminport should get closer to the selection given the swing in the weights after their recent meeting, but he looks vulnerable given his record over fences of 0-6.