Haldon Stayers' Crown Handicap Chase

4YO plus | Class 3 | 3m 6f 153y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

Scored at Wetherby in April and got back on track after 5 months off when third of 9 in handicap chase at Carlisle (24.5f, soft) 44 days ago. That form has been franked so he's weighted to go well eased 1 lb.

Form: 2P12-P3

Coconut Splash⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122

Long been expensive to follow over fences and whilst he showed the benefit of a recent run when third at Wincanton (26.7f) 40 days ago, the fact he remains winless in this sphere is a little off-putting.

Form: P2B-P33

Polish^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

Good efforts when runner-up over fences twice in September and is likely to sharpen up for a run over hurdles at Cheltenham 20 days ago. May well feature.

Form: 222227

Foxboro^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 119

Eighth of 12 in handicap chase at this course (24.2f, soft, 33/1) 28 days ago. Up in trip. Yet to fire this season and others are more appealing.

Form: 561P-78

Domaine De L'Isle^p,t³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: S Curran| OR: 119| DWS

Tumbled down the weights and finally took advantage (in refitted blinkers) when landing small-field marathon at Chepstow (30.6f, soft) in March. That wasn't a particularly strong race, though, and he has underperformed since.

Form: 06814-P

In Rem^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 118| C

Big improver in handicap hurdles last season and further progress switched to fences, scoring here on New Year's Day. Yet to build on that but reappearance was respectable and handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds.

Form: 4F13P-2

Lyrical Genius^b⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113

Hurdle winner who hasn't looked an easy ride over fences but returned to form under a positive ride at Carlisle 43 days ago. Should feature if he can reproduce that sort of effort.

Form: 424P3-2

Iberio^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 112| BF

Bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles at Taunton (3m, heavy) in March. Some encouragement both starts over fences and could produce a bigger effort if his jumping sharpens up.

Form: 5214-47

Light Flicker^p²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 110| D

Fair winning chaser who was a creditable seventh of 19 in a Cheltenham handicap on his reappearance. Probably found race coming too soon at Sedgefield next time and could bounce back after more of a break.

Form: 8226-76

Forecasts

Lyrical Genius (3/1), Iberio (5/1), Polish (11/2), In Rem (6/1), Coconut Splash (6/1), Silver In Disguise (8/1), Light Flicker (8/1), Domaine De L'Isle (14/1), Foxboro (25/1)

SILVER IN DISGUISE shaped as if as good as ever when third at Carlisle on return and the form has a solid look to it, so he's a soound choice in an open-looking race. Lyrical Genius is an obvious player if he can back up his recent return to form and In Rem needs considering back at the scene of his New Year's Day win.