Star Sports Bet Pipped?! Offer Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 5m 28.41s

Voyage De Retour^p1⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 107

9/1

Point winner who stepped up on his low-key chase debut when second in a 2½m Lingfield handicap in October. However, poor efforts the last twice (over hurdles latest) and now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 24-2247

Zolfo^v²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 96| CD

25/1

Had a very productive 2019/20, winning 5 times over fences (twice at this course). Badly out of sorts last term, though, and no signs whatsoever of an imminent revival in 4 starts so far this season.

Form: P-08PP9

Radetzky March^t⁵^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Noonan| T: L Morgan| OR: 87

8/15

Has left his hurdles form miles behind switched to this sphere with a tongue strap refitted of late, landing handicaps at Fakenham (21f) and Leicester (2½m) in good style. Likely he has more to offer.

Form: 590711

Edmond Dantes⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 84| BF

11/2

Tailed off in a 4-y-o hurdle in France, but has hinted at better to come in handicaps this autumn, though not looking straightforward when well backed at Newcastle last time. Chase debut.

Form: 98-654

Getaway North^p⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Kevin Jones| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 83| CD

10/1

Back-to-back winner early last year, including this corresponding race. However, beaten a long way on both subsequent starts (including on return) so has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 64117-8

Thelongwayaround^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 81

14/1

Fair hurdles winner in his pomp, but has offered little in 4 starts since returning to action in November.

Form: 73-U8PP

Forecasts

Radetzky March (8/15), Edmond Dantes (11/2), Voyage De Retour (9/1), Getaway North (10/1), Thelongwayaround (14/1), Zolfo (25/1)

The hat-trick beckons for RADETZKY MARCH, who has looked a different proposition switched to fences of late and he's probably still a step ahead of the handicapper under a penalty here. There are doubts surrounding all five of his rivals, with chase debutant Edmond Dantes and last year's winner Getaway North taken to fill the places, by process of elimination rather than votes of confidence.