11:50 Doncaster

Saturday 27 January 2024

All11:5012:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

SBK Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 11:51 | Winning time: 3m 56.15s

Funambule Sivola⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 148| CD

3/1

Landed this race 2 years ago before excellent second in Champion Chase. Not at the same level last season, his standout effort when landing the Game Spirit at Newbury in February but shaped better with each start from an easing mark this campaign. May scale his resurgence further.

Form: 1F5-663

Malystic³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: P D Niven| OR: 146| CD

20/1

Won this race 12 months ago and capped a fine 2022/23 season with this third win of the campaign at Ayr (16.5f) in April. Low-key efforts in handicaps at Kelso/Ascot upon returning to action but best to overlook his latest run at Kempton over Christmas having been forced to pull up.

Form: 401-67P

Calico^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| CD

9/2

Won twice over fences last season and was in the process of showing improved form when falling at the last in Aintree Grade 1 final start. Sound second on return at Cheltenham and probably overdid positive tactics when fourth back there 6 weeks ago. Still very much of interest from this mark.

Form: 121F-24

War Lord^p1,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 140| D

12/1

Useful chaser who made an encouraging return after a patchy 2022/23 campaign when third in Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Well below best faced with heavy ground last twice, so return to sounder surface/first-time cheekpieces may help now.

Form: 2P5-3P3

Flic Ou Voyou^p⁹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 137| C| D

150/1

Enhanced his fine record at Wincanton with another victory in handicap 11 months ago. Folded tamely next time, however, and well held at Kempton on return in October. Has since left Paul Nicholls.

Form: 4/151P-6

Xcitations¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 137| CD

10/1

C&D winner. Returned to best on back of reappearance run when landing 6-runner Sandown handicap in November. In process of running well when unseating 2 out at Wetherby (15.2f) a couple of weeks ago but this mark demands a little more in any case.

Form: 5P-513U

Nells Son^p⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| BF| D

4/1

Jumped soundly when registering smooth success on return to chasing at Carlisle (2m) in October. Some way below that form when third in 4-runner handicap at Wetherby (15.2f) a month later but no surprise to see him bounce back returning from 2 months off.

Form: 6F88-13

Traprain Law^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130| D

4/1

Steadily progressive over hurdles and having shaped promisingly when third on chase debut at Ayr in November, he built on that when recording an easy victory at Kelso (17f) 4 weeks ago. 10 lb higher mark to deal with up in class but unlikely he's done improving yet. Player.

Form: 2113-31

Gold Des Bois^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: I Jardine| OR: 119| D

22/1

Back-to-back winner of small-field handicap chases in autumn 2022 and kept on well for third in this race 12 months ago. Posted pair of respectable efforts upon returning this term but recent exploits not so inspiring.

Form: 46-3294

Gabriel's Getaway^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 115| BF| D

12/1

Much improved for the switch to chasing, landing first 3 starts with an emphatic success in Exeter handicap (19.2f) in April. Winning run ended at Bangor a month later but possible he'll strip fitter for his reappearance run at Ludlow 38 days ago.

Form: 8111-43

Forecasts

Funambule Sivola (3/1), Nells Son (4/1), Traprain Law (4/1), Calico (9/2), Xcitations (10/1), Gabriel's Getaway (12/1), War Lord (12/1), Malystic (20/1), Gold Des Bois (22/1), Flic Ou Voyou (150/1)

A winner over C&D last spring, CALICO has returned in good form, runner-up at Cheltenham prior to possibly overdoing positive tactics back there 6 weeks ago. Remaining of interest from this sort of mark, this less demanding test should play to the strengths of Dan Skelton's charge and he rates a big player. Impressive Kelso winner Traprain Law rates a big danger with further progress anticipated. Nells Son and last year's winner Malystic are others worth a look.