13:45 Kempton

Saturday 9 January 2021

All12:0512:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3015:57

Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 5.67s

Minellacelebration⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 150| D

20/1

Resumed winning ways in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter in July and improved again when following up at Aintree 3 months later. Non-completions the last twice, but each-way chance granted a clear round.

Form: 72-11UU

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Two For Gold⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 147| D

10/3

Smart novice last term and good second in competitive 19f Wetherby handicap on return. Pulled up in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury since, but major claims nonetheless.

Form: 1112-2P

Ami Desbois^t³⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 141| D

22/1

Twice runner-up in staying handicap chases last season, but struggled at Sandown when last seen 11 months ago and hasn't won a race for over 3 years.

Form: 2/2062P-

Double Shuffle¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 140| CD

4/1

Smart chaser at his peak. By no means disgraced when third in the C&D race won by the very promising Royale Pagaille last time, but latest success was back in December 2016.

Form: 0/857-93

Guitar Pete⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 138

16/1

Classy chaser at his peak who proved he retains the bulk of his ability when 6 lengths fourth in a 19.4f Wetherby handicap in November, staying on gradually. 1 lb lower now and each-way chance.

Form: 18760-4

Beau Bay^h,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 138

28/1

Looked better than ever when landing the Grand Sefton at Aintree in convincing style last month. However, was starting to feel the pinch when falling 4 out off this career-high mark at Wetherby since.

Form: 123-51F

Saint Xavier^t,v1³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: R Hobson| OR: 138| C

40/1

Twice failed to complete since respectable effort in Charlie Hall at Wetherby and hopes pinned on the first-time visor working the oracle here.

Form: 23-P7FP

Commodore²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| D

6/1

Produced a career best when a narrow second at Haydock on return in November. In the process of producing another sound effort when unseating at Cheltenham since, but this mark demands improvement.

Form: 0P4P-2U

Coo Star Sivola³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: Nick Williams| OR: 137| D

9/2

No stranger to big-field handicap wins having landed the Ultima at Cheltenham in 2018. Failed to shine last term, but positives to glean from Bangor reappearance and he's lurking on a dangerous mark.

Form: 837P/5U

King Of Realms^p⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: James Davies| T: Ian Williams| OR: 135| D

18/1

Not at his best in a handful of appearances last season and tailed off in first-time cheekpieces (retained here) on return at Ascot in November.

Form: 1/043F-7

Rocco⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who ran as well as he ever has when hitting the crossbar here (20.5f) in November, making the running and keeping on when headed. This is more demanding, though.

Form: 132P-52

Non-Runners

Slate House⁵⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: C L Tizzard J: 2nd Preference

Glen Forsa²⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: M R Channon J: 2nd Preference

West Approach²⁹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 11

T: C L Tizzard J: Harry Cobden

Almazhar Garde⁴²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: C E Longsdon J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Two For Gold (10/3), Double Shuffle (4/1), Coo Star Sivola (9/2), Rocco (6/1), Commodore (6/1), Slate House (8/1), Glen Forsa (10/1), West Approach (12/1), Guitar Pete (16/1), King Of Realms (18/1), Minellacelebration (20/1), Almazhar Garde (20/1), Ami Desbois (22/1), Beau Bay (28/1), Saint Xavier (40/1)

Now 5 lb lower than when scoring at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, COO STAR SIVOLA may be worth siding with in this open-looking race. He didn't get very far in the Becher Chase at Aintree last time, but this 9-y-o is generally a sound jumper and his reappearance effort was encouraging. Two For Gold may still have more to offer and is second choice ahead of Guitar Pete and Commodore.