totescoop6 Play Today Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 5m 29.31s

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Knockgraffon^p,t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 145| D

9/2

Showed plenty of ability for Dan Skelton (rated 144 at best) and has officially made slight improvement for this trainer, winning at Musselburgh (2m4f) last time. Handles heavy, though all wins on good to soft. 7lb claim helps. Enters calculations.

Form: 125-451

Mercian Prince²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 141

7/2

Has been taken out when conditions were heavy before, though won on very soft in France, but the going is a bit of a concern for this recent Kempton winner. Up 7lb today and in slightly stronger race, so needs to continue his improvement.

Form: F43-381

Special Catch³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 137| D

16/1

History will record that he is the first runner to carry his trainer's name on the licence, under very sad circumstances and this consistent performer would certainly be an emotional winning story. Trip/ground fine for him and has each-way claims.

Form: 1322-62

Grey Gold²⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 137| D

14/1

Was still going well when jinking and unseating Richard Johnson five out over C&D (soft) on Boxing Day. Out of sorts on heavy at Chepstow last time, though has won on it before. A return to his form of a year ago gives him claims, but has it to do.

Form: 1P5-1U4

Sam Red^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

11/2

Won novices' chases at Stratford (2m6½f, good) and Fakenham (3m, good) in October. Held in handicaps over both hurdles/fences before a 7L defeat at Doncaster over fences last month. Goes on heavy and well worth another try in handicap company.

Form: 311F42

Pain Au Chocolat³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 135

33/1

Won a handicap chase at Perth (2m, good) in April from a mark of 135 and is yet to win over this far. Enough stamina in pedigree to think that he will stay, but form not convincing. Has won on heavy and is on a winning mark, so some positives.

Form: 01-82U4

Takingrisks²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 130

7/1

Loves heavy ground and scored on it almost a year ago over fences at Kelso (2m6½f) from the same mark as today. Was still going well when falling there three out (2m5½f) last time and has claims with a clear round.

Form: 214P-2F

Kayf Blanco²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 126| C

11/4

Doesn't win often. Has shown some of his best form here. Scored over 2m in a handicap hurdle in 2015 from 2lb higher. Better efforts have been on soft ground, though raced only once on heavy. Good run again here last time, though stamina to prove.

Form: 8-2F232

Forecasts

Kayf Blanco (11/4), Mercian Prince (7/2), Knockgraffon (9/2), Sam Red (11/2), Takingrisks (7/1), Grey Gold (14/1), Special Catch (16/1), Pain Au Chocolat (33/1)

A good race in prospect and with the Dan Skelton team in it could be worth giving SAM RED another chance in handicap company, after a decent run in a novices' event behind Mount Mews at Doncaster last time. He will have the best handle on how his runner compares to his former inmate Knockgraffon, who has gone up 1lb since joining Olly Murphy and should give a very good account. Mercian Prince continues to go the right way and will need to maintain that to back up his Kempton success, while Takingrisks and Special Catch should both be thereabouts when the prizes are handed out.