Alanbrooke Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 36.60s

Poppa Poutine^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131| D

9/2

Edged out at Haydock in November and ran at least as well in a stronger event when fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (26.3f, good to soft) on New Year's Day. This is a less taxing assignment and he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 24-3524

Zhiguli³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| D

8/1

Improved over fences last season, winning twice at Lingfield. Bettered low-key reappearance effort (reportedly bled) when third in a 7-runner Kempton handicap (20.5f, heavy) and merits respect back up in trip here off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 4419-P3

Domaine De L'Isle^t⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: S Curran| OR: 127

14/1

Seven-time winner over fences but has largely struggled since last getting his head in front back in April 2021.

Form: 0UP-690

I See You Well⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 126| CD

14/1

Enjoyed a productive 2021/22 campaign and returned to form when seeing off 5 rivals over this C&D in December. Did well under the circumstances when fourth at Plumpton but this is a tougher race and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 18-3414

Stumptown²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 125

6/4

Hurdles winner who jumped with greater fluency than in his previous 5 starts over fences when landing a handicap chase by 12 lengths at Thurles (21.7f, soft) last month. 13 lb higher mark to overcome here but this Irish raider is a major player nonetheless.

Form: 375371

Keep Wondering^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121| D

14/1

In first-time cheekpieces, showed a bit more than previously this season when fourth at Ffos Las (23.8f, heavy) in December. However, that effort still remains some way below his useful best over fences.

Form: 142-3P4

Your Own Story¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| D

7/2

Dual point scorer who confirmed his hurdling debut promise when landing a 6-runner novice at Carlisle last spring. Has made the frame all 4 starts since switched to fences and likely to give a good account of himself.

Form: 15-2423

Forecasts

Stumptown (6/4), Your Own Story (7/2), Poppa Poutine (9/2), Zhiguli (8/1), Keep Wondering (14/1), I See You Well (14/1), Domaine De L'Isle (14/1)

The vote goes to POPPA POUTINE, who was by no means disgraced in a more competitive race than this at Cheltenham last time and he remains on a workable mark. Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell's record with chasers on these shores is impressive and his representative Stumptown is greatly respected on the back of his decisive Thurles success. Zhiguli is third choice ahead of Your Own Story.