racingtv.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 10.38s

Mercian Prince^b,t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 136| CD

5/2

Turned in his best effort of the season when scoring for fourth time over fences here in October. Remote second over hurdles at Fontwell since but player returned to this sphere now.

Form: 193212

Vision Des Flos^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132| BF| D

10/3

In fine form over fences with 20f handicap wins at Uttoxeter and Warwick but pulled up at Wincanton last time. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 33511P

Gortroe Joe³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| BF| D

11/4

Winless in 2021 but in decent form until only fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (21.4f) 37 days ago. Type to return to form quickly.

Form: 632-224

Broken Quest^p1,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis| OR: 127| CD

12/1

Prolific hurdles winner who opened chase account at Ludlow (20f) in March. Looked in need of run when pulled up on return at Lingfield, so he can't be discounted now. Cheekpieces go on too.

Form: 41PF5-P

The Unit¹⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125| D

9/2

Dual 2m4f novice chase winner in 2018 but mixed record last season and well below par at Perth on his reappearance. Others are preferred.

Form: 56304-7

Monty's Award^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 114| D

20/1

Twice a winner last season though he didn't prove the most consistent. Turned in a poor effort after 5 months off at Warwick last time, so he's easily opposed.

Form: P31-437

Forecasts

Mercian Prince (5/2), Gortroe Joe (11/4), Vision Des Flos (10/3), The Unit (9/2), Broken Quest (12/1), Monty's Award (20/1)

MERCIAN PRINCE is much better over fences than hurdles and goes really well round here too so is taken to bag win number five at the track returned to this sphere. Gortroe Joe is a reliable sort who can be forgiven his recent bellow-par showing at Market Rasen and is next on the list ahead of Broken Quest, who is fancied to take a big step forward.