William Hill Epic Boost Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 7m 52.05s

De Rasher Counter^p⁵⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 135

18/1

All the better for his Chepstow reappearance when runner-up in first-time cheekpieces at Sandown in November. However, he was well held at Kempton since and, now aged 12, it appears that he's not the force of old.

Form: 0F4-626

Enrilo^p³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134

4/1

Smart at his best and posted best effort for a while when chasing home emphatic winner Inis Oirr in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (31.4f, good to soft). Down another 1 lb (now 4 lb below last winning mark) but latest success came more than 3 years ago and Cobden prefers Broken Halo.

Form: FP6F-42

Broken Halo^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

4/1

Did the Royal Artillery/Grand Military double at Sandown last term and, having failed to complete on first 3 starts of this season, he put in a clear round when second in this year's running of the Royal Artillery. On a plausible mark and a bold show could be on the way.

Form: 10-FPU2

Cyclop^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 125| D

11/1

Rattled off a quick-fire hat-trick in veterans' handicaps around this time last year and placed 3 times off higher marks than this during the autumn. Form has dipped badly since, though, and he's probably best watched for now.

Form: 233PP4

First Lord De Cuet^p,t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

7/2

Remains winless following 11 starts over fences but produced one of his best efforts in this sphere when second to the progressive Anglers Crag at Market Rasen (23.8f, good to soft) in Januay. Below par next time and yet to conclusively prove he stays this far but plenty of positives otherwise.

Form: 43-UP24

Laskalin^p1²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120

9/2

Useful at his best and while he hasn't put his best foot forward so far this season, there were encouraging signs at Lingfield on penultimate start and continues to edge down the weights (now 8 lb below last winning mark). No show at Sandown since but perhaps the new headgear will give him a lift.

Form: P-6564P

Jacamar^p³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 117

4/1

Ended last season on a low-key note but has posted a couple of good efforts since returning to action in December, including when just touched off over 25.7f here (soft) in January. However, this will be his first foray beyond that trip and his subsequent effort at Wincanton was not so good.

Form: 762425

Forecasts

First Lord De Cuet (7/2), Broken Halo (4/1), Enrilo (4/1), Jacamar (4/1), Laskalin (9/2), Cyclop (11/1), De Rasher Counter (18/1)

The Venetia Williams yard endured something of a blip during the time of LASKALIN's poor effort in the Royal Artillery at Sandown, but the winners have been flowing again of late and the 9-y-o had shaped as though coming to hand when fourth over a trip similar to this at Lingfield previously. His proven stamina will count for plenty and the Williams yard saddled the winner of this race last year. Broken Halo is feared most given doubts surrounding First Lord De Cuet stamina-wise.