14:05 Fakenham

Friday 14 October 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Paddy Power Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 24.25s

Kap Auteuil¹⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: T Lawes| OR: 140| C

5/1

Made big strides over fences, winning 6 of his last 9 starts over the bigger obstacles, the latest of them coming at Stratford in March. Failed to stay 25.8f at Haydock the following month and off since but he's clearly capable fresh. Player.

Form: 714716-

Spiritofthegames¹⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

5/1

Regular in competitive handicaps and good fifth of 29 in the Topham at Aintree in April, faring best of those held up. Off 6 months but he's not taken lightly.

Form: 9P9335-

The Vollan^t,v¹²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 123| D

12/1

In fine fettle back over fences in recent months, scoring three times at Southwell and then in 3-runner handicap at Kelso (23.4f) 12 days ago. Carries 7 lb penalty but remains well in the mix.

Form: 211251

Tommie Beau¹⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 125| CD

7/2

Progressed again when landing 3m5f handicap chase here in May. Off since but he's very much one to consider in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 223P1-1

Topofthecotswolds⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125

7/1

Hard to catch right and reportedly bled when running poorly at Southwell 9 weeks ago on the back of victory at Worcester. Has a bit to prove.

Form: 756-F14

Pilbara³²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 123| D

25/1

Back to best when winning at Fontwell in October but he's been pulled up both starts since. Has fitness to prove after a 10-month absence.

Form: 22P1PP-

Fakir^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 123

11/2

Lightly raced in recent seasons but he got right back on track for his new yard when landing 3-runner handicap chase at Fontwell (21.6f) 14 days ago. This is tougher but he ought to be competitive again.

Form: 2/FPP-31

Shetland Bus^p,t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 116| D

4/1

Finally got off the mark over fences in 5-runner handicap at Stratford (22.6f) 11 days ago under this rider. Escapes a penalty for that success so holds solid claims.

Form: F23331

Forecasts

Tommie Beau (7/2), Shetland Bus (4/1), Spiritofthegames (5/1), Kap Auteuil (5/1), Fakir (11/2), Topofthecotswolds (7/1), The Vollan (12/1), Pilbara (25/1)

KAP AUTEUIL made excellent strides last term and goes well fresh too so is fancied to make a winning return here off a handy-looking mark. Shetland Bus rates an obvious threat able to race off the same mark as when scoring recently at Stratford, while the returning Spiritofthegames and recent winners Fakir and The Vollan need factoring in too in a competitive handicap chase.