Paddy Power Southern National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 8m 6.45s

Christmas In April^p²⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| BF| C| D

11/4

Thorough stayer who scored 3 times last season before signing off with a tame display at Uttoxeter. Has gone well fresh before, so should put up a bold bid on his return from 8 months off.

Form: 21131P-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Cloudy Glen²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 134

7/2

Useful but inconsistent chaser who isn't guaranteed to get this longer trip returning from 8 months off. He's on a good mark if he does, though.

Form: F1R2F6-

Doing Fine^p,t²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 131| C| D

5/1

Retains plenty of ability at the age of 12, underlined by his victory at Uttoxeter in August. Shaped as if still in form at Sedgefield subsequently, so looks a firm player.

Form: 4V1-516

Diable De Sivola^v²⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130WS

5/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who didn't get home over 3m at Sandown 9 months ago but returns after a wind op.

Form: 3/77234-

Gangster^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

11/1

Better for return when a good second at Perth in September but failed to back it up at Sedgefield last time. Cheekpieces go back on and mark is fair if he's on a going day.

Form: 91P-528

Weststreet²⁶⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 119| C

5/1

Generally below form last term and liable to need his first run for 8 months, so others make more appeal.

Form: 11/5P65-

Morney Wing^p,t³⁰⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 118| C| D

20/1

Won the London National at Sandown 2 years ago but struggled last season. Been given a big chance by the handicapper but plenty to prove.

Form: 2P/F5PP-

Forecasts

Christmas In April (11/4), Cloudy Glen (7/2), Doing Fine (5/1), Diable De Sivola (5/1), Weststreet (5/1), Gangster (11/1), Morney Wing (20/1)

CHRISTMAS IN APRIL is a likeable staying chaser who might not have finished improving, so he makes plenty of appeal returning from 8 months off in a race where several rivals have questions to answer. Doing Fine's stamina is assured, so he's regarded as a bigger threat than the likes of Cloudy Glen and Diable de Sivola.