N&L Franklin Developments Ltd Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 6m 59.41s

Rocco⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133

8/1

Went close at Ludlow in March, but well below par either side of that, contributing to what is starting to look very much like a patchy profile. Others look stronger.

Form: P/52826-

Town Parks¹⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 131

4/1

In good form late last year, his success in a 21f handicap chase at Hereford in November bookmarked by solid efforts in defeat at Stratford and Carlisle. Big chance if coping with this stiffer test.

Form: 51P/213-

The Devils Drop⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127| C

15/8

Well held first 3 starts since returning from a lengthy absence in October, but back on track when runner-up at Newbury (23.4f, good to soft) last month, his third start over fences. Not discounted.

Form: 11/0572-

William Of Orange^p,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 125| C

3/1

Winner of 2 of his 5 starts since joining Mark Walford, including a 24.3f handicap chase here last month. Got no further than the first fence at Ayr since, though, and this demands a personal best.

Form: P/3131-U

Knockoura^t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 123

15/2

Back-to-back winner of handicap chases during 2019/20 campaign and good third back from 11 months off at Newcastle in December. However, he's failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts.

Form: 11P/353-

The Tourard Man⁴³²

Age: 15| Weight: 11-0| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 122| C| D

14/1

Veteran who wasn't disgraced when third in a hunter chase back from a lengthy layoff at Fakenham in March 2020. However, absent again since and The Devils Drop appears to be the stable first-string.

Form: 0U9253/

Non-Runners

Accordingtogino³⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

The Devils Drop (15/8), Accordingtogino (5/2), William Of Orange (3/1), Town Parks (4/1), Knockoura (15/2), Rocco (8/1), The Tourard Man (14/1)

Though unproven over this far, TOWN PARKS shapes as though stamina won't be an issue now upped in trip, particularly on this sharp track, and he is taken to strike for his in-form yard. Next on the list is Accordingtogino, who found just one too good off this mark at Cheltenham last time and is equipped with a first-time tongue strap. The Devils Drop also enters calculations.