bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 5m 2.6s

Golden Taipan^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126

5/4

Multiple hurdles winner who finally got off the mark over fences in a 4-runner Ludlow handicap in October. Back on track when second of 4 at Warwick 5 weeks ago. Often makes mistakes but should go well again.

Form: 31324-2

Amalfi Doug²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117| CD

15/8

Won 2 times at this C&D (7 victories overall here), though not best last 4 starts, well held here latest. Mark continues to slide at least.

Form: 33P74-4

Imperial Sachin's^b1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 112

5/2

Off 5 months before good fourth of 14 in handicap chase at Clonmel (22.8f). Badly let down by his jumping at Ayr next time, however, a rare Scottish blip for this trainer/jockey lately. Change of headgear.

Form: 45584-P

Non-Runners

Sirwilliamwallace³³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 9

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Bellaney Gem²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 9

T: S R B Crawford J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Golden Taipan (5/4), Amalfi Doug (15/8), Imperial Sachin's (5/2), Sirwilliamwallace (5/2), Bellaney Gem (7/1)

GOLDEN TAIPAN is a sketchy jumper of fences, but he often keeps better company than this so is taken to defy top weight. 7-time course winner Amalfi Doug is not the force of old but his mark reflects that, while Imperial Sachin's could be worth another chance in a change of headgear.