14:55 Fakenham

Monday 4 January 2021

All12:2512:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:25

Visit attheraces.com Handicap Chase (Conds/Amats)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 8m 26.0s

Lac Sacre^b,t⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 107

16/1

Veteran who has struggled since winning at Ffos Las over a year ago so bit to prove.

Form: 2173-PB

Orchard Thieves^t,v1²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 107

2/1

Made winning debut in Worcester novice hurdle in May 2018. Well held in only 4 starts since, though had excuses in 2 chases this term. Remains with potential over fences in change of headgear.

Form: 218/5-54

Chimes Of Dylan^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 105

10/1

Potentially well treated nowadays and stepped up on return when third at Warwick, albeit beaten 22 lengths. Not discounted.

Form: F36P-93

The Lion Dancer^b,t1⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 105

14/1

Three-time chase winner but failed to make an impact either start last winter and on return in November after 10 months off. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 113/PP-P

General Bux^t⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 102

5/1

Started out for this yard in good form with a pair of handicap chase wins in 2018/19. Not seen again until a remote fourth at Huntingdon in September but stepped up on that at Ayr following month.

Form: 21P1/44

Love The Leader^v³²

Age: 13| Weight: 10-11| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 90

4/1

Veteran but is back on last winning mark and seemed to be perked up by this headgear when runner-up at Wincanton last month. Big player on that form.

Form: 46-4562

Ratoute Yutty^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Miss Kate Gowing⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 89

14/1

Mares maiden hurdle winner in Ireland but winless over hurdles/fences for Dan Skelton. Well held all 3 starts over fences for this yard.

Form: 54-6565

Midnight Calamity³⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 87

5/1

Lightly-raced mare who finished a remote second of 8 in novice chase at Ludlow (20f, heavy) and struggled on handicap bow at Plumpton since. More needed.

Form: 12/0425-

Forecasts

Orchard Thieves (2/1), Love The Leader (4/1), Midnight Calamity (5/1), General Bux (5/1), Chimes Of Dylan (10/1), Ratoute Yutty (14/1), The Lion Dancer (14/1), Lac Sacre (16/1)

LOVE THE LEADER turned in his best effort of the season reverted to positive tactics in a first-time visor when runner-up at Wincanton and gets the vote over the lightly-raced General Bux, who should come on again for his run at Ayr. Orchard Thieves remains with potential over fences and is another to consider.