14:40 Kempton

Saturday 18 March 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1715:5016:2517:00

Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 25.71s

Brave Seasca⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 152| D

11/1

Career best when easily winning 2½m handicap chase at Aintree on return. Not in the same form in 2 runs at Cheltenham in January but claims if back to the Aintree form.

Form: 13F-10P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Complete Unknown⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| BF| D

7/4

Developed into a useful hurdler last season and made a winning start over fences at Ffos Las (21f, heavy) in December. Respectable 13 lengths third in 3m Warwick Grade 2 novice since. Major player back in a handicap.

Form: 212-512

Silver Hallmark⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| D

9/1

Grade 2 novice chase winner in January 2021. Just the one effort of real substance since, namely when third of 12 in a Cheltenham handicap (19.5f) on penultimate start, but he's of some interest here off his reduced mark.

Form: 4P3-539

Rouge Vif^t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 137

8/1

High-class chaser at best. Failed to shine in a handful of runs for Paul Nicholls and down the field over hurdles on his first 2 starts since rejoining Harry Whittington, but did at least hint at a revival back chasing when sixth at Doncaster in January.

Form: 34-F596

Galahad Quest^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 134| D

9/2

Took advantage of a drop in the weights when seeing off 8 rivals in a 2½m Warwick handicap 3 weeks ago. Did that quite comfortably and should remain competitive after a 7 lb rise.

Form: 52-2921

Beakstown^p,t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| D

25/1

Tricky customer (often finds little). Couldn't knock his reappearance fourth in the Old Roan at Aintree but he's been below that level when filling the same position twice since.

Form: 613-444

Captain Tom Cat¹⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 133| D

16/1

Developed into a pretty smart chaser last year, successful 4 times including a Grade 2 at Wincanton. Creditable second in Hexham handicap hurdle on reappearance but has found life tougher back over fences since. A 3-month break needs to have had a reviving effect.

Form: 1F-27P7

Dublin Four^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| D

14/1

Won twice at around 2½m last term and has largely run with credit this season, including fifth of 12 over 3m at Uttoxeter last month. Drops back in trip with Jack Hogan taking a handy 5 lb off his back.

Form: 1-52935

Jacamar^v²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| OR: 132| CD

12/1

Successful at Leicester in February but came unstuck in a more competitive race here (3m) since. This isn't much easier.

Form: 496618

One True King^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| D

14/1

Followed Market Rasen reappearances success with a couple of inauspicious displays but has worked his way back to form this year, finishing third of 6 over 3m at Ludlow latest.

Form: 185563

Non-Runners

Mister Fisher⁸¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Fantastic Lady⁷⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: N J Henderson J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Fidelio Vallis⁴¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: Harry Derham J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Complete Unknown (7/4), Galahad Quest (9/2), Fidelio Vallis (7/1), Rouge Vif (8/1), Mister Fisher (8/1), Fantastic Lady (8/1), Silver Hallmark (9/1), Brave Seasca (11/1), Jacamar (12/1), One True King (14/1), Dublin Four (14/1), Captain Tom Cat (16/1), Beakstown (25/1)

A number with chances in a competitive handicap. There should be more to come from COMPLETE UNKNOWN after just 2 starts over fences so he's taken to prove too strong for former stablemate Fidelio Vallis, who made a good start for new trainer Harry Derham at Musselburgh last month. Galahad Quest completes the shortlist.