Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (For The James Barclay Challenge Trophy)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 7m 19.05s

Talktomenow^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽¹⁰⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 120| D

5/1

Stepped up on hurdles form when making a winning chase debut at Fontwell (3¼m) in December. Nothing wrong with his next 2 efforts but wasn't in the same form when pulled up at Exeter 15 days ago.

Form: 42132P

Echo Watt^h⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: R Hobson| OR: 115| BF| D

4/1

Has taken really well to chasing, posting a career best when winning 3m Bangor handicap in the mud in January. Mixed round of jumping when well held at Plumpton 11 days later so must bounce back.

Form: 11P-714

Capard King⁸⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115| CD

11/1

First-fence faller at Newcastle in December and shaped as if amiss after just 4 days off when pulled up over C&D last time. Mark eases a touch but hard to be confident judged on his last 2 outings.

Form: 136-7FP

Cash To Ash^p,t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 115

5/2

Low-mileage 8-y-o who shed maiden tag at Newcastle last season. Bounced back to form from out of the blue when runner-up at Wetherby last month and needs to back that up here from same mark.

Form: F1P-6P2

Caventara^p,t1¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 110| C

5/2

Improved when winning at Kelso in November 2019 but lightly raced since. Well held all 3 runs this term but has dropped to a tempting mark for an in-form yard. Each-way claims.

Form: B/1F-483

Chanceiton^t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: P W Wadge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 106| D

10/1

Notched 3 wins in 2019, including a Sedgefield handicap in October of that year. Needed the run on return after 17 months off over timber at Kelso and should be much closer to form here.

Form: 22211-6

Non-Runners

Silver In Disguise¹⁶

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: Tim Vaughan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Silver In Disguise (15/8), Cash To Ash (5/2), Caventara (5/2), Echo Watt (4/1), Talktomenow (5/1), Chanceiton (10/1), Capard King (11/1)

The hat-trick beckons for Tim Vaughan's SILVER IN DISGUISE, who overcame a 15 lb rise in the weights to remain unbeaten over fences and in handicaps at Chepstow just over a fortnight ago. This step up to 3m looks sure to suit and he could be tough to stop in his current mood. Cash To Ash is feared most if able to back up his recent second at Wetherby, ahead of Caventara.