Strong Flavours Catering Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 3.50s

Kapdad²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 99

8/1

Runner-up 3 times over hurdles in 2017/18, but he hasn't shown much since returning from a lengthy absence in October.

Form: 207/4U9

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Pure Country^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: Noel Williams| OR: 99

14/1

No real impact in 3 starts over hurdles and last month's chase debut effort at Wetherby was uninspiring. Now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 048-9

Eurkash^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 97

6/4

Built on chasing debut promise to open his account in 17f handicap chase at Bangor in November. Good second over C&D last time and he's the one to beat.

Form: 831402

No No Cardinal¹⁵⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 88| C

22/1

Returned to form when third at Wincanton in October, but he's not the most reliable of propositions and failed to fire at Taunton later that month (absent since).

Form: P-7U03P

Diligent^h¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 88

7/4

Sole success in this sphere was gained in France back in 2017. Still, he clearly retains ability judged on reappearance sixth of 15 for new yard at Chepstow (19.4f) a fortnight ago.

Form: 522FP-6

Gustav^p¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 77| D

8/1

Sprung a surprise when 40/1 winner of 2½m Leicester handicap in November. Has typically failed to reproduce that level of form since, but he's dangerous to discount off this mark nonetheless.

Form: FU81P9

Forecasts

Eurkash (6/4), Diligent (7/4), Gustav (8/1), Kapdad (8/1), Pure Country (14/1), No No Cardinal (22/1)

Though he clearly comes with risks attached, DILIGENT is a tempting alternative to likely favourite Eurkash on the back of an encouraging recent reappearance at Chepstow (first start for 15 months). Gustav is best of the rest.