Paddy Power Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 8.20s

Go Long^p⁹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

15/2

Fairly useful chaser who was seen to good effect when making all at Fontwell on return in November. Not so good at Taunton next time, though, and may again find one or two stronger.

Form: 9682-15

Frero Banbou⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124WS

11/4

Dual chase winner in France and left low-key stable debut well behind when third at Exeter in November. Not so good next time, but since undergone a wind op and it's still early days for this 6-y-o.

Form: 711/733

Monty's Award⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 123| D

25/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who put it all together to open chase account at Stratford last summer. However, effort at Fakenham back from a break for new yard in January was poor and bit to prove now.

Form: 9P-214P

Monsieur D'Arque¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| BF| D

11/2

Largely creditable efforts since breakthrough success over fences at Market Rasen in July. Misfired back from a break at Kempton recently (first run following a wind op) but he's worth another chance.

Form: 142228

The Flying Sofa²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| D

15/8

Shaped pretty well on belated reappearance in January and subsequently not beaten far when fourth of 12 in a Kempton jumpers bumper. Needs considering back in this sphere off a workable mark.

Form: 4312-44

Ardmayle^p1⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: A Stronge| OR: 116| CD

11/2

Winner of this race off 2 lb higher in 2019. Encouraging efforts over hurdles initially this season, but let down by some shoddy jumping back in this sphere over C&D in December. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 52-345P

Wenceslaus¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 113| D

28/1

Took well to chasing last term, scoring 3 times. Solid return to action at Uttoxeter in October, but has failed to complete the last twice and these fences are hardly forgiving.

Form: 14-26FU

Forecasts

The Flying Sofa (15/8), Frero Banbou (11/4), Ardmayle (11/2), Monsieur D'Arque (11/2), Go Long (15/2), Monty's Award (25/1), Wenceslaus (28/1)

Having shaped well in a decent jumpers bumper last time, THE FLYING SOFA gets the nod. He has been eased 3 lb subsequent to his reappearance fourth in this sphere at Fakenham in January and he is pretty versatile ground-wise. Frero Banbou was rather disappointing at Haydock, but he is interesting nonetheless back from a break following a wind operation. Monsieur d'Arque also enters calculations.