Fitzdares Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:53 | Winning time: 6m 17.00s

Investment Manager^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127

9/1

Back on the scoreboard at Newton Abbot in May and capitalised on lower hurdles mark tackling extended 26f trip back there just over 5 weeks ago. Likely to be competitive again returned to larger obstacles.

Form: 22P-171

Lord Accord^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 123| D

6/4

Multiple winner over both hurdles/fences. Rather went off the boil last season but belatedly cashed in on a lower hurdles mark returning from 8 weeks off in an uncompetitive race at Sedgefield (27f, good) just over 3 weeks ago, making all. Considered back over the larger obstacles.

Form: P56-431

Fantastikas^p,t²⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122

13/2

Progressive as a novice chaser but largely disappointing thereafter. Did finish runner-up on second of 3 starts from his much-reduced mark last season though, and he returns from 9 months off with his yard firing in the winners.

Form: 300/623-

Inflexible^p¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 117| CD

5/2

Showed improved form to get off the mark fitted with cheekpieces at this C&D (good) when last seen 6 months ago, probably benefiting from being sent to the front a long way out. Looks a thorough stayer and should have even more to offer this season.

Form: 323331-

Hold Your Fort²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 117

9/2

Really turned a corner since upped in trip over fences, posting his best effort yet when completing a Newton Abbot (25.8f, good) 4-timer just under 4 weeks ago, his jumping again impeccable. Handicapper applies further pressure but unlikely he's finished improving yet on that evidence.

Form: 541111

Non-Runners

Stratagem¹³⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: Mr D Maxwell

Forecasts

Lord Accord (6/4), Inflexible (5/2), Hold Your Fort (9/2), Fantastikas (13/2), Investment Manager (9/1), Stratagem (14/1)

HOLD YOUR FORT has been one of the success stories of the summer and with the ceiling of his ability yet to be ascertained, Debra Hamer's 5-y-o is fancied to make it 5 on the spin at the expense of Inflexible, who got off the mark fitted with cheekpieces at this C&D in April and should have even more to offer this season. Recent hurdles winner Lord Accord can edge out Investment Manager for third.