MansionBet Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 26.9s

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Selected odds by:

Nikki Steel^p²⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 111| BF

5/1

Reasonably consistent performer in class 3 or 4 handicaps hurdles, who missed the whole of 2017. Supported when 17½L third (first-time cheekpieces) on chase debut at Ffos Las when last seen in June. Drops in grade. Has won fresh. Interesting.

Form: 12/P-223

Dark Invader³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 106| D

6/1

Triple chase winner at 2m on good/fast ground, and is back on his last winning mark here. Took a step back in the right direction when beaten just over 7L at Ludlow last time. Enters calculations.

Form: 515543

Quantum Of Solace¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 106| BF

4/1

Hadn't shown much in two runs over fences in 2016 for Martin Keighley, but has done better since returning to this sphere for this trainer, winning at Ludlow (2m, good) from 8lb lower two starts back. Held from just 1lb higher latest. Bit to prove.

Form: 422214

Dallas Cowboy⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: T J FitzGerald| OR: 95

9/2

0-19 over fences and just 1-28 overall. Has claims from this mark if able to reproduce some of his Irish from from this time last year, but recent efforts far less encouraging. Only of interest if there is a significant market move.

Form: 4445P4

Royal Act^b¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 93

3/1

All three wins have been at Taunton on ground softer than forecast. That was the case last time, when he won in first-time blinkers from 5lb lower. Needs improvement to defy this mark, but that was a career-best, so can't rule that out.

Form: P-R4551

Nomination Game^h²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 91

10/1

0-9 and hasn't offered a huge amount over fences so far, with the exception of his Leicester second over 2m4f (good to firm) in January, when 2lb higher. Has disappointed twice there since, over 2m6f, and not sure this drop in trip is ideal.

Form: 4352P4

Snow Rescue^p,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 83

7/1

Got off to a stuttering start over fences, but took a good step forward last time when less than 4L second at Leicester (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces). Same mark here, so more needed, but not written off.

Form: 58/05-P2

Non-Runners

Torrent Des Mottes⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: J R Cornwall J: Patrick Cowley

Forecasts

Torrent Des Mottes (11/4), Royal Act (3/1), Quantum Of Solace (4/1), Dallas Cowboy (9/2), Nikki Steel (5/1), Dark Invader (6/1), Snow Rescue (7/1), Nomination Game (10/1)

Torrent Des Mottes won well last time and it wouldn't do to dismiss him lightly under a 7lb penalty, while Snow Rescue also showed more promise and could come into this. Royal Act has a bit to prove from this mark and away from his beloved Taunton, and Dark Invader may have a stronger case from a winning mark. However, NIKKI STEEL drops in grade here, goes well when fresh and has conditions to suit, and he gets the vote.