Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 4m 3.49s

Kauto The King^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126| C| D

14/1

Completed quick-fire hat-trick in small-field handicap chases during the summer but some way below best in 3 starts since returning from a short break this winter.

Form: 1112P5

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Native Robin^p,t³⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 124| C

16/1

Five-time course winner who shaped with encouragement at Cheltenham on reappearance and, despite a poor run at Exeter since, might bounce back here.

Form: 1114-70

Midnight Midge¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120| C

11/2

Won his first two starts for this yard (both at Taunton) and, despite a lesser effort at this course subsequently, he's still one to be interested in dropping back to the minimum trip.

Form: 257-116

Another Crick^b1¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: Noel Williams| OR: 119| CD

3/1

Useful chaser who landed this event last season. Not at best since but well treated and blinkers are applied, so capable of putting up a big effort despite his advancing years.

Form: 3143-53

Interne De Sivola¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 123

4/1

Winner of 2 of his 5 starts in juvenile hurdles last season and was given a considerate introduction to chasing after 8 months off at Warwick (2½m). Out of the handicap at Ffos Las subsequently and remains wit potential in this sphere.

Form: 1721-36

Desque De L'Isle¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119| D

5/1

Better than ever this term, won 9-runner handicap chase at Ludlow (16f, soft) 18 days ago, just holding on. Fully expected to go well again.

Form: 545-P11

Not Available^b,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M Sheppard| OR: 118| D

7/2

Useful chaser who offered hope that a return to form might be around the corner when third at Newbury a week ago. Worth considering for all that there's a chance this race comes too soon.

Form: 3-543P3

Forecasts

Another Crick (3/1), Not Available (7/2), Interne De Sivola (4/1), Desque De L'Isle (5/1), Midnight Midge (11/2), Kauto The King (14/1), Native Robin (16/1)

ANOTHER CRICK won this off a higher mark last year and, while he's been operating below his best lately, he has blinkers fitted now and a bold showing is anticipated. Desque de L'Isle is an obvious player bidding for the hat-trick and Native Robin, who goes really well at this track, is worthy of a mention despite a couple of tame finishing efforts so far this term.