Unibet New Instant Roulette Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 28.54s

Mercian Prince^b,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 134| CD

13/8

Bounced back to form in a change of headgear when close second at Worcester 5 weeks ago, collared only in the dying strides. Has an excellent record here so big player with a repeat up 2 lb.

Form: P-21932

Versatility¹⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 130

16/1

Off the mark at third attempt over fences at Ludlow and runner-up at Newbury next time. Disappointed since, however, and sold from Nicky Henderson £16,000 later in May. Temperamental.

Form: 1260-UP

Fairway Freddy¹⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 126| CD

9/1

Dual winner at Plumpton in the spring. Pulled up in Sandown handicap when last seen 6 months ago but might have found that one run too many. Type to bounce back.

Form: 45141P-

Tikkinthebox^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 125| D

18/1

Three-time chase winner last season who had been in good form before a rare blip at Newton Abbot last time. Should get back on track.

Form: 1-222U3

Master Work^p²⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| D

5/1

Took advantage of a drop in the weights at Taunton in December. Creditable second at Doncaster next time but wasn't on a going day at Ludlow final start. Off 6 months but can go well fresh.

Form: 37512P-

Goa Lil²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123| C

15/8

Came good over fences when beating a subsequent winner at Stratford and added a handicap hurdle at Perth to his tally last month. Back over fences now and remains unexposed in this sphere.

Form: 693121

Forecasts

Mercian Prince (13/8), Goa Lil (15/8), Master Work (5/1), Fairway Freddy (9/1), Versatility (16/1), Tikkinthebox (18/1)

MERCIAN PRINCE ran his best race for a while when a close second at Worcester 5 weeks ago and is taken to go one better back at a track that clearly suits him. Goa Lil has been in good form over hurdles of late and beat a subsequent winner when last seen over fences at Stratford in August, so rates the main threat.