Rainier Developments Handicap Chase

Off time: 20:00 | Winning time: 5m 55.06s

Northern Symphonie^b1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: James Best| T: H Dickin| OR: 100| D

9/1

Rattled off a quick-fire hurdles hat-trick for Keiran Burke this time last year but underwhelming in a quartet of starts since joining present yard, including post breathing operation on chase debut with cheekpieces fitted. Blinkers now on.

Form: 12P60-3

Pescatorius^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: B R Summers| OR: 90

14/1

Better than ever to win at Sedgefield and Market Rasen for Olly Murphy in the autumn. Not at that level in 4 starts for this yard, however.

Form: 115535-

Carpe Diem^v²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Hutsby⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 89| D

2/1

Responded well to the first-time visor when landing a 2½m Huntingdon handicap chase in February. Had one of his better jumping days when 5½ lengths second to Yes And Yes at Stratford in April and confirmed he's in good nick with another runner-up effort over C&D 3 weeks ago.

Form: 41232-2

King Of The Story^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: P Gundry| OR: 88| C

6/1

Triple winner over 2½m (including here) last season but an error never seems far away and he was typically lacking in fluency when second of 3 at this venue 2 weeks ago. Yet to prove he stays 3m.

Form: P1PP4-2

Knightsbridge^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 85

5/2

Fared much better than previously switched to handicap hurdles when twice placed at Hereford in the autumn. Displayed aptitude for chasing fifth of 9 in handicap at this course over 2½m in March and no surprise were he to build on that.

Form: 733895-

Misteroddsocks^p,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: C Gethings| T: B I Case| OR: 81

4/1

Not straightforward but on the back of a breathing operation he got off the mark in 7-runner handicap chase at Fontwell in April, typically flashing his tail but suited by the way race developed. Never really threatened back there 3 weeks ago and now tries 3m for the first time.

Form: 3P631-3

Non-Runners

Thickthorn Tom⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Thickthorn Tom (5/4), Carpe Diem (2/1), Knightsbridge (5/2), Misteroddsocks (4/1), King Of The Story (6/1), Northern Symphonie (9/1), Pescatorius (14/1)

THICKTHORN TOM wasn't fully extended to get off the mark at Newton Abbot a week ago and from this very low base, further success beckons under a penalty. Carpe Diem and Knightsbridge may offer most resistance.