16:10 Kempton

Saturday 27 February 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Close Brothers Motor Finance Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 5m 4.35s

The Devils Drop⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127

16/1

Racked up hat-trick of 3m hurdle wins in 2018. Off over 2 years but shaped encouragingly on chasing bow when fifth of 6 in 23f Newbury handicap in November. Should strip fitter now so no forlorn hope.

Form: 5111/05

Captain Blackpearl^t⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 127| BF| CD

11/2

Runner-up in a point and having showed promise over hurdles, duly made a winning chase debut in good style at Kempton (20.5f). Unable to build on that at Doncaster since but retains potential.

Form: 2/244-12

Awake At Midnight^b⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127| D

18/1

Back to form in first-time blinkers with 20f handicap chase win at Huntingdon in November, overcoming early mistakes. Hiked up 10 lb and remains to be seen if headgear has desired effect again.

Form: 742/5-01

Eden Du Houx^b,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 127| BF

8/1

Form: 34-044P

Braqueur D'Or⁸⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: P R Webber| OR: 127| D

150/1

Multiple winner over fences in 2017/18. However, offered little after 25 months off (left Paul Nicholls in interim) when pulled up at Ludlow in December. Has plenty to prove.

Form: 2091U/P

My Way^b1,t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| BF

4/1

Belatedly off the mark in Stratford maiden hurdle in October and not disgraced back chasing since, third of 6 in 2m3f handicap at Chepstow last time. Blinkers go on with bit more needed.

Form: 66-1453

Guy⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

9/2

Much improved sent chasing this season, landing 20f handicap at Huntingdon before placed at Wetherby and Hereford. May still do better after his break so he's worth considering.

Form: 635-123

Ouro Branco^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 126| D

10/1

Much improved since switched to fences, and made it 3-4 with ready success at Wincanton on return. Excellent second off 10 lb higher at Newbury since and another bold showing is on the cards here.

Form: 7/141-12

No Hidden Charges^t1⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125| CWS

7/1

Point winner and fairly useful hurdles winner at up to 3m. Made a promising chase debut at Market Rasen but has run poorly both starts since. Back now after a breathing op with something to prove.

Form: 005-24P

Monsieur D'Arque^t¹²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125WS

4/1

On the right track in his second season over fences, winning at Market Rasen in July and three times runner-up. Back after a wind op and break now and shouldn't be underestimated for top yard.

Form: P-14222

Forecasts

My Way (4/1), Monsieur D'Arque (4/1), Guy (9/2), Captain Blackpearl (11/2), No Hidden Charges (7/1), Eden Du Houx (8/1), Ouro Branco (10/1), The Devils Drop (16/1), Awake At Midnight (18/1), Braqueur D'Or (150/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but the most persuasive one is for the upwardly-mobile OURO BRANCO who has already racked up three wins over fences and is fancied to go in again after his excellent Newbury second last time. Dan Skelton's Monsieur d'Arque goes well fresh so is feared most after a break and wind op, while the lightly-raced The Devils Drop is another worth a second look.