Paddy Power '3 Sleeps To Cheltenham' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 27.85s

Nickolson^p1²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 130| BF

13/2

Fairly useful 2m winner over hurdles who has reached a higher level over fences without tasting success. Latest Leicester novice second was below par though and cheekpieces fitted back in a handicap.

Form: 685-222

Deyrann de Carjac^p1¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129| D

15/2

Far from disgraced in couple of graded handicaps at Cheltenham at around this trip earlier this term but fell early on his latest start at Kempton last month. Not discounted from much-reduced mark.

Form: 35055F

Nocte Volatus^t⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 122| D

15/8

Showed no ill effects of Catterick hurdles spill when resuming winning ways over fences at Huntingdon (19.8f) 6 days ago, quickening clear straight and well on top finish. Sound claims under a penalty

Form: F1R1F1

Maypole Class³⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| D

28/1

Progressed well initially over fences last season, winning handicaps around 2m4f at Bangor and Fakenham. Pulled up last 3 starts though, latterly at Aintree in May and bit to prove on return.

Form: 011PP-P

Mahler's Promise⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 125

9/2

Mixed record over hurdles but cemented positive start over fences when successful at Newton Abbot (21f) in June. Similar form when placed on 2 of 3 starts since and eased 2 lb ahead of this.

Form: 521223

Foxboro^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: R Walford| OR: 117

5/2

Remains a maiden over fences but holding form well this campaign, finding only a thriving sort too strong on his latest start at Kempton in February. Interesting partnered by Harry Cobden.

Form: 542322

Non-Runners

Defi Sacre⁴⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 9

T: R Hobson J: James Best

Forecasts

Nocte Volatus (15/8), Foxboro (5/2), Mahler's Promise (9/2), Nickolson (13/2), Deyrann de Carjac (15/2), Defi Sacre (10/1), Maypole Class (28/1)

NOCTE VOLATUS continues to go from strength-to-strength over fences, adding a third success to his tally with the minimum of fuss at Huntingdon 6 days ago, and he may well be difficult to contain under a penalty with the prospect of more to come. Foxboro is enjoying a good, if frustrating, campaign and is respected also, along with Mahler's Promise, who twice ran well here late last year.