Sort Out Your Christmas At oldgoldracing.com Intermediate Chase

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 13.1s

Antunes²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

11/8

Form: 32/1P7-2

Chooseyourweapon⁹⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127| BF| C

11/2

Successful sole start between the flags in April 2017 and winner of first 2 starts over hurdles here later that year. However, 32-month absence is a major concern ahead of this chase debut.

Form: 11143/

I Can't Explain⁶⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 142| D

7/2

Point winner who did the job well on hurdles bow for Nicky Henderson at Sandown (2m) in December 2018. Looked amiss when last seen 21 months ago, though, so bit to prove on chase debut for new yard.

Form: 112P/

Lieutenant Rocco²⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 139| C

10/3

Winner of novice hurdles here and at Warwick on first 2 starts under Rules. Outclassed at Cheltenham when last seen in March, but this is a realistic starting point over fences for new yard.

Form: P/311P-

Mr One More¹⁰¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: H Fry| OR: 132| D

14/1

Won first 3 starts under Rules (bumper/2 hurdles) prior to coming up short in better company. Looks a chasing type, but it's disconcerting that he's been absent for the best part of 3 years.

Form: 11165/

Forecasts

Antunes (11/8), Lieutenant Rocco (10/3), I Can't Explain (7/2), Chooseyourweapon (11/2), Mr One More (14/1)

Probably best to concentrate on ANTUNES and Lieutenant Rocco, given that Chooseyourweapon, I Can't Explain and Mr One More are all returning from lengthy spells on the sidelines. Lieutenant Rocco is arguably the greater long-term prospect, but Dan Skelton's charge jumped with aplomb when runner-up on debut in this sphere at Bangor and can put that experience to good use here.