bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 5m 13.70s

Nocte Volatus^t⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 127| DWS

15/8

Drew a blank last term but he arrives in very good nick, third of 11 in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) 53 days ago. Since had a wind op and bold showing is on the cards.

Form: 6942-23

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Innovated²⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 125| D

33/1

A fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser for Henry de Bromhead but onlyu seventh of 10 in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (19.4f, good to soft) 6 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running for his new stable.

Form: 13P/15-7

Mint Gold^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120

8/1

Made light of a 30-month absence when landing 4-runner handicap chase at Musselburgh (15.8f, soft) 23 days ago. Needs to back it up now.

Form: 17254/1

Brayhill³⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 117WS

17/2

Successful start over fences at Kelso (23.4f) last November but tried in cheekpieces when pulled up there 11 months ago. Resumes after breathing surgery with his fitness to prove.

Form: 1R3/13P-

Ladronne^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: T Collier| OR: 113| C| D

5/2

Course winner who travelled strongly for a long way when fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Wetherby (24.2f, heavy) 35 days ago. Considered back in trip.

Form: 234-344

Everyday Champagne^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 108| D

10/3

First run since leaving Nicky Richards when bagging 12-runner handicap chase at Ayr (20.5f, good) 49 days ago. Up 5 lb but well in the mix with cheekpieces retained.

Form: 1622-21

Non-Runners

Dalyotin¹⁸⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

Nocte Volatus (15/8), Ladronne (5/2), Everyday Champagne (10/3), Mint Gold (8/1), Brayhill (17/2), Dalyotin (10/1), Innovated (33/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but NOCTE VOLATUS figures on a handy-looking mark and is taken to gain a deserved first success of the season on the back of a wind op. Everyday Champagne hit the ground running for his new yard when scoring at Ayr and is feared most ahead of course-scorer Ladronne.