premier-traffic.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 4m 4.56s

Sao^h,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 117| CD

10/3

Won over C&D in 2020 and was better than the bare result when beaten 5 lengths into second at Wetherby last time, having lost plenty of ground at the start. Sets the standard.

Form: 336532-

Well Educated⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 114| CD

9/4

Won 3 times over hurdles here last season and shaped well from a long way back when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle (9/1) at this course (16.2f, soft) last week. Interesting chase newcomer.

Form: 115P0-4

Fringill Dike^b1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 109| CD

9/4

Won three 2m novice events on the spin here last year and wasn't disgraced in a couple of handicaps subsequently. On back foot after early mistake last time and appeals as type to bounce back quickly with blinkers applied for chase bow.

Form: 175330-

Edmond Dantes¹³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 99

11/1

Latest win came at Market Rasen in February 2022 and he largely held his form subsequently, though appeared to resent the application of cheekpieces on his most recent outing at Newcastle. Not discounted on first start since Boxing Day.

Form: F22/427-

First Revolution³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 98

12/1

Three-time winner at Sedgefield last summer and found himself too far behind when fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Wetherby (15.2f, soft) 37 days ago. Now below last winning mark and could make more impact.

Form: 138145-

Going Mobile^p,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 92| CD

17/2

Two of his trio of wins last season came over C&D, with the most recent one coming at Carlisle in March. Badly failed to repeat that performance last time but can't be fully ruled out from same mark.

Form: 13351P-

Non-Runners

Hell On Earth²⁸

Weight: 10-3| Age: 9

T: C Bissett J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Fringill Dike (9/4), Well Educated (9/4), Sao (10/3), Going Mobile (17/2), Edmond Dantes (11/1), First Revolution (12/1), Hell On Earth (33/1)

The strong-travelling SAO was inconvenienced by a ragged start at Wetherby last time and can build on the promise of that effort to go one better here. Well Educated has a fine record over hurdles at this course and arrives on the back of a positive performance last week, so can pose the main threat on his chase bow, with fellow chase newcomer Fringill Dike also respected.