14:30 Ludlow

Wednesday 16 December 2020

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Tanners Claret Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 31.02s

Earlofthecotswolds²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

2/1

Improved on hurdles form over fences last season, landing a useful novice at Exeter. Excellent second back over fences at Ascot last month and back down in class now. Extra distance should suit.

Form: 310-602

Kilfilum Cross¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 138| CD

17/2

Useful sort who ended last term with fine second in the Kim Muir Chase. Looked rusty on Fakenham return but failed to build on that both starts since.

Form: 422-4P7

Brelan D'As^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138

7/1

Dual chase winner who went close in a Cheltenham Grade 3 handicap off this mark 13 months ago. Well held next 3 starts, including both outings this term.

Form: 5/U28-P8

Another Venture^v²⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 135| D

17/2

Wasted no time getting back to form when 2 lengths third of 6 to Head To The Stars in handicap chase (5/1) at this C&D (heavy) and went close on his reappearance last season. Off 9 months.

Form: 514/263-

Like The Sound^t²⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: J McGrath| T: O Signy| OR: 135WS

18/1

Useful form when landing 2 staying handicap chases in early 2019 but just the one creditable effort last season so bit to prove on balance on return for new yard after wind op.

Form: 1/9F3PP-

Coup De Pinceau⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 134| CD

16/1

Useful chaser who returned to form to take advantage of a drop in the weights at Perth. However, added to increasingly patchy record here next time and has since left Paul Nicholls.

Form: 2/3P-515

As You Like¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 134| D

22/1

Enhanced good strike rate over fences when scoring in good style at Southwell (24.3f) in July. However, well below par last 2 starts.

Form: 37-1260

Head To The Stars³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 128| CD

17/2

Signed off last term with a career-best win over C&D. No promise at Uttoxeter on return last month, however.

Form: 3F261-P

Buster Thomas³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123| BF

7/2

Fairly useful chaser who has returned from 20-month layoff in excellent form, placed again at Wincanton last time. Can make his presence felt again.

Form: 21/2232

Non-Runners

Azzerti⁴¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: A King J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Earlofthecotswolds (2/1), Buster Thomas (7/2), Brelan D'As (7/1), Azzerti (8/1), Another Venture (17/2), Head To The Stars (17/2), Kilfilum Cross (17/2), Coup De Pinceau (16/1), Like The Sound (18/1), As You Like (22/1)

EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS was an excellent second back over fences at Ascot last month and this stiffer test should suit back down in class. He's preferred to Buster Thomas, who has been holding his form well this season, and Brelan d'As, who is becoming well handicapped.