More Than A Flake Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 3m 59.30s

Oscars Leader^p²⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 119| BF| D

5/1

Took well to fences last season, winning 2m handicaps at Haydock and Newcastle. Returns to action off a mark only 2 lb higher than the one he defied at Newcastle. Player if ready to roll.

Form: 3P1U13-

Fusain^p1,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 115| D

17/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Henry de Bromhead. Operating below that level since coming to Britain but this is a lot more realistic than the Grade 2 novice chase he contested last time. Has first-time cheekpieces added to his regular tongue tie.

Form: 3644-65

Ridgeway^p,t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| C

4/1

Made a promising start in this sphere when impressively landing Kempton handicap in October but he does need to shrug off a disappointing run at Hereford since.

Form: 244-51P

Lake Takapuna^p³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Ewart| OR: 114| D

4/1

Off 18 months prior to his Kelso run 5 weeks ago so it was understandable that he faded from the second last. May come on for the outing.

Form: 1825/2-5

Coastguard Station^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 108| D

6/4

Won 2m Southwell maiden hurdle in April. Returned from 6 months off to finish a creditable third in a Fakenham handicap hurdle and could be sharper for the run. Dual point winner so likely to take to fences. Much respected

Form: 2921-73

Forecasts

Coastguard Station (6/4), Ridgeway (4/1), Lake Takapuna (4/1), Oscars Leader (5/1), Fusain (17/2)

With Henry Oliver among the winners in recent days it might be worth siding with COASTGUARD STATION to make a successful start over fences as a couple of point wins at the start of his career suggest he'll make a chaser. If Oscars Leader is primed for this reappearance he could be the one to give him most to do.