Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:02 | Winning time: 6m 36.0s

Mercian Knight^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 115| D

2/1

Fairly useful 3m winner over hurdles who shaped as if better for the run on return/chase bow at Lingfield (23.5f) last month. He is a big type and promises to do better in this sphere. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 9/2153-5

Optimistic Bias⁶¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 112| C| D

18/1

Veteran who rattled off a hat-trick over fences during early 2017. Very lightly raced since though, and absent since finishing second at Warwick (29f) in spring 2019. Likely best watched.

Form: 106072/

Classic Escape^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112

9/4

Fair hurdles winner in Ireland who ran best race to date over fences when second at Sedgefield (26f) 8 days ago, collared close home and looking a hard ride. Still, he's a player with a repeat.

Form: P4-23U2

Book of Gold²⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 112| D

9/1

Much-improved to open account over fences at Warwick (3m) in December. However, consistency not his strong suit though, and failed to complete both starts thereafter.

Form: 03/01PP-

Manofthemoment²⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 112| C| D

11/2

Dual hurdles winner who showed improved form to score over fences at Warwick (20f) back in December. Seemingly not 100% at Sedgefield in January and he's not one to write off on return.

Form: 1/U631P-

Hugo's Reflection^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case| OR: 110

15/2

Dual chase winner who ran up to his best when 4 lengths third of 10 on return at Fontwell (21.6f) last month, every chance last but no extra final 100 yds. Entitled to be sharper again here.

Form: 2/541P-3

Gibbes Bay³⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 109

28/1

Bumper winner who showed fair form over hurdles earlier in career for Paul Nicholls. Unconvincing over fences and he arrives for new yard having proved unsuccessful between the Flags when last seen.

Form: 448P4/P-

Forecasts

Mercian Knight (2/1), Classic Escape (9/4), Manofthemoment (11/2), Hugo's Reflection (15/2), Book of Gold (9/1), Optimistic Bias (18/1), Gibbes Bay (28/1)

MERCIAN KNIGHT reached a fairly useful level over hurdles and shaped as though he'd come on for his return/chase debut effort at Lingfield last month. A chasing type on looks, he's open to improvement and earns the vote to come out on top. Classic Escape went close latest and is feared, along with the returning Manofthemoment.