John Rogerson Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 20.34s

Salvatore^p,t1¹⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 122WS

18/1

A three-time hunter chase winner, signing off last term with success at Musselburgh in March. Tongue strap on 1st time. Interesting now going into handicaps on the back of a wind op.

Form: 2115-22

Hardy Fella²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120| BF| C

2/1

A fairly useful winner at 24f over hurdles. 15/8, jumped left but not disgraced when fourth of 5 in handicap chase at Ludlow (23.8f, soft) on his debut over fences 24 days ago. Likely to improve.

Form: 2P221-4

Kap Auteuil^p1²⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: T Lawes| OR: 120| C| D

9/2

Healthy strike rate initially over fences but lost his form towards the end of last campaign. Cheekpieces on for 1st time with more needed after 6 months off.

Form: PP2PP-9

Rose Sea Has²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117| C

5/1

Gained reward for his consistency last season when scoring at Fontwell (17.8f) on Boxing Day. Yet to hit top form in two runs this term though so others appeal more.

Form: 126P-26

Chess Player^p⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 112| BF| D

12/1

Bagged his second win this season at Stratford in August but he beat only one at Huntingdon (19.9f, good to firm) 40 days ago. Handily weighted if back on his A-game though.

Form: V-13216

Aviles²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 104| BF

2/1

Fair ex-French hurdler who has been runner-up on all 4 starts to date for current stable. One to note if the market speaks in his favour on chasing debut after 7 months off.

Form: 4/2222-

Forecasts

Hardy Fella (2/1), Aviles (2/1), Kap Auteuil (9/2), Rose Sea Has (5/1), Chess Player (12/1), Salvatore (18/1)

A case can be made for most of these but SALVATORE remains with few miles on the clock and is taken to make a winning start in handicaps on the back of wind surgery. Gary Moore's ex-French recruit Aviles could emerge as the chief threat on his chasing bow ahead of the handily-weighted Chess Player.