Savills Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 42.8s

Via Dolorosa^b,t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 132| BF| D

3/1

Useful in France and matched that form for current yard when landing 3m handicaps at Southwell and Fakenham in March. Back to form when runner-up all 3 starts last month and no surprise to see him in the mix again.

Form: P0P-222

Soldier Of Love^b,t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128

13/2

Prolific in 2020 and having been given 11 weeks off since a laboured effort at Doncaster in February, made the most of a good opportunity to land 3-runner hunter at Fontwell just under 6 weeks ago. Task is to now translate that form back into handicaps.

Form: PP/U2P-1

Quartz Du Rheu⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| CD

13/2

Notched 3 wins around 3m in the first half of last season but having been off the track for 4 months, offered little on return at Haydock in April, left behind from 3 out. Back to his last winning mark but others seemingly have stronger credentials.

Form: 112135-

Vision Des Flos^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127

7/2

Returned to form when bagging handicap chases from the front at Uttoxeter and Warwick in September. However, pulled up on his final two starts last season and possibly in need of the run after 6 months off at Stratford recently. Tricky to assess.

Form: 511PP-3

Topofthecotswolds³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122| D

10/3

Returned to his best when second in 19f Wetherby handicap in November but not close to that form on all 3 completed starts since. Looked back in form before taking a nasty spill 3 out at Fakenham last month (still in front and going best) and he's handicapped to win again.

Form: 2U756-F

Vivas^p,t³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119

6/1

Eighteen runs since last win in 2019 but in the frame on 5 of his last 7 starts, second of 5 in handicap chase at Ludlow (25.6f, good) just over 4 weeks ago. Can give his running again but his strike rate tempers enthusiasm from a win perspective.

Form: 2P433-2

Forecasts

Via Dolorosa (3/1), Topofthecotswolds (10/3), Vision Des Flos (7/2), Vivas (6/1), Soldier Of Love (13/2), Quartz Du Rheu (13/2)

TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS was in front and going best before taking a nasty spill 3 out at Fakenham last month and, provided he's none the worse just over 3 weeks on, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge can gain compensation and notch a fourth success over the larger obstacles. Via Dolorosa filled the runner-up spot on all 3 outings last month and he can continue that trend here, with Soldier of Love also fancied to go well back in handicap company.