Racing TV Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 21.19s

Slate House^b,t¹⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 142| BF| CD

4/1

Revitalised by the drop in trip of late, scoring twice over C&D back in the spring. Folded alarmingly quickly in his hat-trick bid at Plumpton when last seen 5 months ago but he remains well treated on best form provided he's over whatever was ailing him.

Form: 2461-15

Mercian Prince^b,t³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 134| CD

10/3

Hurdle/chase winner in the first half of last season. Has finished runner-up on multiple occasions this term (including winning over timber in France) and this 4-time course winner should give another solid account.

Form: 221225

Gortroe Joe¹⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| C

17/2

Back to winning ways at this track (20.5f) last November but both subsequent outings has left him with questions to answer, checking out too tamely for comfort when last seen here over 3m in May. Yard in fine form but can only be watched on return.

Form: 22414-4

Balko Saint¹⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127| BF| C| D

13/2

Mixed record over hurdles last season but did win a small-field listed novice over 2m here last October. Has failed to beat a rival on both outings over the larger obstacles so far but could make more of a splash now sent handicapping on reappearance.

Form: 71504-3

Runswick Bay³⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

10/3

Bumper winner who got it right at the third attempt over hurdles at Taunton in late-2020. Failed to progress as anticipated in handicap hurdles after, but made a winning start in one over fences when last seen at Ludlow 12 months ago. Presumably had his problems and this should reveal plenty.

Form: 21P83/1-

Romanor²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121| D

4/1

Headstrong sort who has taken his form up a level since having a wind op, landing back-to-back 2m handicaps at Newton Abbot. Up another 7 lb but has to have major claims given the manner of his most recent success.

Form: 414311

Forecasts

Mercian Prince (10/3), Runswick Bay (10/3), Romanor (4/1), Slate House (4/1), Balko Saint (13/2), Gortroe Joe (17/2)

Cases can be made for most but ROMANOR arrives in the form of his life and a 7 lb rise may not be enough to prevent Seamus Mullins' charge from completing the hat-trick. Slate House scored twice over C&D back in the spring so he heads up the dangers provided he's over whatever was ailing him at Plumpton 5 months ago, while Runswick Bay is another fascinating contender and he completes the shortlist.