Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow Best Mate Chase Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 53.9s

Vision Des Flos^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 132| C| D

11/4

Back-to-back winner last September and notched fourth success over fences in good style Warwick (2½m, good) last month, quickening clear after hitting the front 2 out. 5 lb rise could have been worse and moving back up in trip shouldn't be an issue.

Form: PP-3F21

Red Happy^b,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| C| D

9/4

French import who came good during the spring, winning 3 handicap chases on the bounce at up to 2½m, and added another to his tally at Bangor (3m, good) in August. Successful over hurdles last month, too, and he remains on a feasible mark.

Form: 713512

Shantou Express¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 127| C

7/4

Useful hurdler who has yet to fire over fences, failing to get beyond the first obstacle on his recent return at Kelso. However, he landed a novice hurdle on sole previous visit here and on a good mark should things click for him in this sphere.

Form: 3-5123F

Mr Mafia^p⁴⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 122| D

13/2

Veteran who regained winning thread at Ludlow in May. Lost little caste in defeat when second in a 3-runner affair off this mark at Newton Abbot (25.8f, good to firm) last time and it's not hard to envisage another bold bid with conditions in his favour.

Form: 51P242

Forecasts

Shantou Express (7/4), Red Happy (9/4), Vision Des Flos (11/4), Mr Mafia (13/2)

In receipt of weight from his 3 rivals, MR MAFIA could be the answer in what looks a very tight contest. Martin Keighley's charge retains plenty of enthusiasm at the age of 13 and his stamina reserves could prove an assest round here in what promises to be a strongly-run race, despite the small field. Vision des Flos and Red Happy both arrive here in good form and are greatly respected, while Shantou Express cannot be ruled out, for all that he's yet to shine over fences.