Knights Bullion Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:23 | Winning time: 3m 59.7s

Stormin Crossgales^h,t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: T R George| OR: 124WS

3/1

Low-mileage hurdles winner who improved to make winning return/chase debut at Wincanton (15.7f) in November. Has failed to kick on on both subsequent starts though, so percentage call is to look elsewhere despite having had a breathing operation.

Form: 231/1P3-

Elios D'Or^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 115| BF| D

11/4

Three-time 2m winner last season but was below form back over fences at Huntingdon (16.5f, good) 23 days ago. Needs to bounce back quickly but that's entirely plausible.

Form: 2121-34

Blaze A Trail^h²²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: C Brace| T: J L Flint| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Fair winning hurdler/chaser in Ireland who was revitalised by current yard last term, completing 5-timer in a very weak race at Fontwell back in October. Makes return form 4 lb higher and the 6-timer could well be on the cards (won 3 times here last summer).

Form: 611111-

Admiral's Sunset^p,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: James Davies| T: D Weston| OR: 101| CD

15/8

Finished 2022/23 season in a lull but rejuvenated by another breathing operation, took advantage of her much-reduced mark to spring a surprise at this course (19.4f, good) 13 days ago. Just 4 lb higher and would take some stopping if she's in the same mood.

Form: 23456-1

Non-Runners

Swaffham Bulbeck²⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: S Edmunds J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Admiral's Sunset (15/8), Elios D'Or (11/4), Stormin Crossgales (3/1), Blaze A Trail (7/2), Swaffham Bulbeck (4/1)

This can go the way of ADMIRAL'S SUNSET, who took advantage of a much-reduced mark to spring a surprise on return at this track just under a fortnight ago and, nudged up just 4 lb, David Weston's 10-y-o could well take some stopping provided she's in the same mood. Blaze A Trail proved a revelation last season and he heads up the dangers chasing an impressive 6-timer, with Swaffham Bulbeck third on the list.