Phil Bessant Accountants Claiming Chase

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 5m 14.0s

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Selected odds by:

Ennistown^t⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 142| BF

7/4

Must bounce back after being turned over at 2/11f at Fontwell (2m5f; good to firm). However, talented apprentice claims a valuable 5lb, which means he is still 5lb clear of his nearest rival in this race. Should get back on track.

Form: 2-41122

Candy Burg^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 131| CD

2/1

Out of form over hurdles/fences the last twice, but did win at Worcester (2m; good) in August. Won this race last October when sent off 15-8f, with King Alfonso comfortably held in fourth. Work to do to beat Ennistown though.

Form: 6P5186

King Alfonso²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: D Burchell| OR: 124

6/4

Not finished out of the placings in any of his last six starts, including when victorious over hurdles at Worcester (2m; soft) last month. Bit to find with Candy Burg and Ennistown but is evidently in fine fettle.

Form: 312321

Spock¹³⁷

Age: 14| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 64

20/1

Not seen since finishing sixth at Bangor-on-dee (3m; good to soft) in June when tailed off before the race had fully developed. He has masses to find on official ratings with the rest of the field and is impossible to make a case for.

Form: 463-646

Forecasts

King Alfonso (6/4), Ennistown (7/4), Candy Burg (2/1), Spock (20/1)

On the face of it, this looks like a straightforward contest to dissect. The 14-year-old, Spock, can be ruled out with confidence given the impossible amount he has to find on ratings with his three rivals. Candy Burg won this race pretty comfortably last year, when he had King Alfonso over 20-length behind in fourth. The latter could get closer to the former this year though, given he is in such good form at present. However, this race represents a good opportunity for ENNISTOWN to regain the winning thread after being turned over in small fields the last twice. He is 5lb clear of his nearest rival on these terms and can take advantage of this drop in class.