Betway Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 7m 24.50s

Fabulous Saga^t⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140

9/2

Useful novice hurdler for Willie Mullins in 2017/18 but off for over 3 years prior to pulling up in Cheltenham novice chase last month after a wind op. Can only really be watched after that.

Form: 31177/P

Royal Vacation^p³⁸⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139

33/1

Best effort last season came at this track but his form tailed off and he's not been seen for a year. Others preferred.

Form: P/53V4P-

Late Romantic^p,t³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 137

6/1

Veteran who got up late in Haydock veterans' event in December and shaped as if still in form when fifth at Warwick subsequently. Handicapper has his measure, though.

Form: 421-P15

Shantou Flyer^b,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136

5/4

Useful chaser who made a positive start for this stable when fourth in C&D handicap 16 days ago. Down 1 lb and this doesn't look quite as competitive, so boasts strong claims.

Form: 12/113-4

Sizing At Midnight¹⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135

9/1

Winning hurdler who improved to land handicap chases at Newton Abbot and Ffos Las in recent months. Has remained in form since (going well when fell 3 out over C&D last time), so worth considering.

Form: 45-112F

Golden Sovereign⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122

7/2

Dual winning hurdler who fared a bit better on second run over fences when coming home in his own time behind at Chepstow 42 days ago. Not discounted from an appealing mark.

Form: 2711-P3

Non-Runners

Jepeck²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 12

T: A J Honeyball J: Ben Godfrey

Forecasts

Shantou Flyer (5/4), Golden Sovereign (7/2), Fabulous Saga (9/2), Late Romantic (6/1), Sizing At Midnight (9/1), Jepeck (12/1), Royal Vacation (33/1)

SIZING AT MIDNIGHT has improved this season and was shaping well prior to falling over C&D 105 days ago, so he could get back to winning ways with the scope for more progress. Shantou Flyer made a pleasing start for Paul Nicholls over C&D last time, so he's regarded as a danger along with the fairly-treated Golden Sovereign.