Richard Llewellyn 30th Birthday Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 4m 4.0s

Financier^t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 138| CD

7/2

Dual winner over fences over 2m in the mud, including this race a year ago. Both outings this term have been lacklustre, but hard to rule after being eased a further 2 lb.

Form: 27F1-7P

Prince Escalus⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| CD

5/4

Successful twice from 6 hurdles starts and has an upwardly-mobile profile over the larger obstacles, scoring in a 3-runner event over C&D last time. Should be able to follow up.

Form: 513-321

Moonlighter³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 133| D

9/2

Useful chaser on his day and, while he hasn't fired the last twice, he's on a reasonable mark if he can keep jumping errors to a minimum.

Form: P-P53F6

Fanzio^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: R Hobson| OR: 133| D

6/1

In-and-out this season, though produced a creditable effort when third at Musselburgh last time. Only 3 lb higher than for his wide-margin Perth win last April, and this isn't much of a race.

Form: 1-78263

Duc De Beauchene^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 124

17/2

Sketchy jumper who has underperformed on both outings this term and looks up against it over a trip that's short of his optimum.

Form: 7541-65

Forecasts

Prince Escalus (5/4), Financier (7/2), Moonlighter (9/2), Fanzio (6/1), Duc De Beauchene (17/2)

PRINCE ESCALUS was quite impressive when making all over C&D last time and, although that was only a 3-runner event, he's likely to be left alone in front once more, so he could take some pegging back. Fanzio looks a danger on the back of a solid showing at Musselburgh, but the remaining trio are all struggling for form.