Evening With Paul Merson 9th September Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 58.90s

Twenty Twenty^v³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117| C

22/1

Winning hurdler who appeared to excel himself when making a successful chase debut here in January. However, unable to back that up in 2 subsequent starts. Yard also saddles Cheque En Blanc.

Form: 74186P

Cheque En Blanc^b³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117| C| D

17/2

Twice a winner here and added to his tally when landing a handicap chase at Fontwell on penultimate start. Showed the other side of his character over hurdles at Wincanton last time, though.

Form: 145210

I See You Well¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 116| CD

3/1

Ended long losing run from reduced mark when scoring over C&D in January (third victory here). Both subsequent efforts have been creditable and it's not hard to envisage a bold show from this 8-y-o.

Form: 56-6124

Optimistic Bias³⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 115

11/1

Veteran chaser who got back on track after an absence when winning 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in November. Well below par both starts since, though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 72/U1P4

Ivilnoble^p,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: C J Mann| OR: 115

11/1

Now 3 lb lower than for his Hereford breakthrough success last spring, but this season's efforts have not been at all inspiring.

Form: 1-P53PP

Aheadfullofdreams^p⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 102| CD

10/11

Has taken well to fences, going close on debut in this sphere at Hereford prior to a wide-margin C&D success in first-time cheekpieces 6 days ago. Will prove a tough nut to crack under a penalty.

Form: 8-D5221

Forecasts

Aheadfullofdreams (10/11), I See You Well (3/1), Cheque En Blanc (17/2), Optimistic Bias (11/1), Ivilnoble (11/1), Twenty Twenty (22/1)

The progressive AHEADFULLOFDREAMS got off the mark at the second attempt in this sphere over C&D recently and, with the prospect of even better to come, he'll take some stopping under a penalty. Cheque En Blanc is capable when on-song but, like stablemate Twenty Twenty, he failed to fire last time out and multiple course winner I See You Well rates the main danger.