Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 5m 20.70s

Mortens Leam⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hawker| OR: 115

7/1

Almost exploited an easing mark when going down narrowly at Fontwell (2m5½f, soft) on his penultimate start; was hampered when unseating his rider at the eighth fence at Sedgefield (2m3½f, soft) on Boxing Day.

Form: 52-552U

Well Smitten^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 112| D

6/1

Bounced back to his old form when winning with plenty in hand (came from a seemingly impossible position) on debut for Sam England at Doncaster (2m3f, gd/sft) in December; much more laboured from a 6lb higher mark next time; risky.

Form: 24U71P

Casual Cavalier^p³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 110| D

8/1

Veteran; earned due reward for some consistent efforts for current handler Tristan Davidson when an idling winner at Catterick (2m3½f, soft) four-and-a-half weeks ago; subsequent 4lb rise fair; historically has revelled in testing conditions.

Form: 4-57231

Un Guet Apens^b⁶⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 110

14/1

Veteran; has fallen 24lb in the weights since wind surgery (0-4); lost touch from four out when a tailed-off last of five at Ayr (2m½f, soft) early in the New Year; has a mountain to climb in order to reverse placings with Casual Cavalier.

Form: 2562/45

Envol De La Cour²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 103

6/4

Won twice over fences in France (2m1½f-2m4f) for Francois Nicolle; 0-3 on these shores for Henry Oliver (hurdles) and dismal over fences for Claire Dyson (0-2); well-handicapped on second start for Michael Scudamore?; market informative.

Form: 746-PP8

Maxed Out King⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 102| D

11/2

Strapping chaser who continues to show solid form (in the context of this race) despite his fast-advancing years; 4lb higher than when accounting for the Sedgefield specialist Roxyfet over 2m½f in late November; has won over 2m4f previously.

Form: P61332

Frankie Ballou^t,v1¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 83

8/1

All three career wins (from 37 starts) have come over 2m½f on testing ground at Sedgefield; was headed approaching the final fence when beaten 3¾L (second) by Roxyfet at the County Durham venue 11 days ago; back up in trip with a visor applied.

Form: F34332

Forecasts

Envol De La Cour (6/4), Maxed Out King (11/2), Well Smitten (6/1), Mortens Leam (7/1), Frankie Ballou (8/1), Casual Cavalier (8/1), Un Guet Apens (14/1)

The winning French chaser Envol De La Cour appears to be attractively handicapped on second start for Michael Scudamore (similar blueprint applied with Caltex at Leicester recently) and he merits a basic market check. Most of those in opposition are fast-advancing in terms of years, yet still performing to a solid level of form with the upped-in-trip Maxed Out King and Frankie Ballou both cases in point. However, with the mud likely to be flying in all directions CASUAL CAVALIER is preferred. He earned due reward for some consistent efforts when idling in front at Catterick last month, and a subsequent 4lb weights rise isn't prohibitive.