Haldon Middle Distance Handicap Chase

4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 3f 48y | 8 Runners | Turf

Quel Destin^b1³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

Not as good a chaser as he was a hurdler and well held at Ascot on return. Change of headgear.

Form: P1323-8

Eden Du Houx^p,t²⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 132| DWS

Doubled his tally in this sphere at Ffos Las (19.4f) a year ago. Found Class 1 handicap too much at Cheltenham on New Year's Day but much more like it when close second at Sandown (likely would have won if jumped better). Might have found next run coming too soon. Off 8 months.

Form: 881P2P-

Bennys King¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-13| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

Very smart handicap chaser in 2020/21 who was reinvigorated by the switch to hunters last season, winning twice and running a fine race when second at Aintree (21.1f) in April. However, ran poorly in a veterans' race at Warwick on return 16 days ago.

Form: P1U12-P

Can You Call^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130| D

Off the mark in this sphere at Catterick on final start of 2021/22 and bagged first success over hurdles in a Uttoxeter handicap on New Year's Eve. Little impact next 2 starts but back to form returned to fences when excellent second at Chepstow on comeback, clear of rest. Needs considering.

Form: 1/2194-2

The Edgar Wallace^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| D

Fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser who looked as good as ever when taking advantage of reduced mark at Wetherby on return last month. Has to prove he can hold his form better this time around but perhaps a second breathing operation has done the trick on that score.

Form: U/2P48-1

Honneur D'Ajonc^p1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127| CD

Won 4 times over hurdles in 2021/22 and came good at the fifth time of asking over fences in handicap at Hereford (21f) in January. However, failed to complete all 3 starts since, including back over hurdles on return. Headgear now applied.

Form: 421PF-P

Oxygen²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 111

Winner of a newcomers' event over hurdles in France in 2021. Made a low-key start for his current connections last season but stepped up massively back over fences when justifying strong support at Lingfield on his return last month. One to keep on the right side of now.

Form: 4/5665-1

Flagrant Delitiep¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 105| BF

Not the force of old and while mark reflects that, he's likely to find this too competitive.

Form: 365-434

Forecasts

Oxygen (15/8), The Edgar Wallace (7/2), Can You Call (4/1), Quel Destin (8/1), Eden Du Houx (10/1), Flagrant Delitiep (10/1), Honneur D'Ajonc (16/1), Bennys King (20/1)

OXYGEN finally reproduced his French form when justifying strong support in cosy fashion back over fences at Lingfield on his return and looks capable of following up off 8 lb higher. Can You Call ran a cracker when second at Chepstow on reappearance so rates a big threat, while The Edgar Wallace looked as good as ever when making a winning comeback at Wetherby and is best of the others.