Cash Is King In The Ring Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 9.4s

Go Steady^p,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

11/2

Back to winning ways in a 2½m veterans' event at Lingfield in December. Placed next 2 starts but put firmly in his place at Kempton recently and, though eased 2 lb and down in class here, he looks vulnerable. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 3-41336

Whydah Gally³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Tizzard| OR: 115

4/1

Front-runner who bagged a Wincanton handicap and Fontwell novice over hurdles last season. However, he hasn't made much of an impact in 3 starts since switched to fences.

Form: 1F1-2P4

Native Robin⁴¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 114

17/2

Veteran who enjoyed a highly productive 2021/22 campaign, winning 4 of his half a dozen starts. Well below par so far this season but the handicapper has reacted accordingly and he's not completed ruled out now eased in class.

Form: 14-7043

Animal⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 108

9/4

Opened chase account from 3 lb lower mark at Fakenham last January and creditable placed efforts on 3 of his 5 subsequent starts. Completely misfired last time but it would be no surprise were he to bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 13-6337

Icaque de L'Isle^t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 109

15/8

Chase winner over 2¼m in France and, though well held when sent off favourite for British debut in November, he has since performed with credit in handicaps at Huntingdon (2½m) and Hereford (21f). Definite chance if his stamina holds out back up in trip here.

Form: 7-03323

Non-Runners

Rakhine State⁶⁶

Weight: 11-9| Age: 10

T: D J Jeffreys J: Jordan Nailor

Reserve Tank²⁰

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: P & M Bowen J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Icaque de L'Isle (15/8), Animal (9/4), Whydah Gally (4/1), Go Steady (11/2), Reserve Tank (6/1), Rakhine State (8/1), Native Robin (17/2)

ICAQUE DE L'ISLE appeared to find 3m on soft ground too much of a test on debut for present connections but he has peformed with credit both starts since and there has to be a good chance that his stamina will pass the test over this intermediate trip round here. If that proves to be the case, he could be the answer to this trappy-looking contest. Native Robin and Reserve Tank would both be thrown in off their current marks if able to stage a revival but, as things stand, Animal is feared most.