15:35 Kempton

Saturday 27 February 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Close Brothers Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 5m 51.0s

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Selected odds by:

Black Corton^t⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| CD

11/1

Classy chaser on his day and added to his good record here when second to Mister Malarky in this 12 months ago. Operating below best this term but no shock if he bounces back after break.

Form: 242-4UP

Mister Malarky^p²⁸

33/1

Struggles for consistency but very smart on his day, as he showed when beating Black Corton in this last year. Also successful at Ascot in December but poor at Doncaster since. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 1P-6U17

Talkischeap²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 155| D

40/1

Capped fine 2018/19 with win in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown but lightly raced since. In frame efforts on Flat/in jumpers bumper this year show ability remains and still has time on side as a 9-y-o.

Form: 251/3P-3

Clondaw Castle⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 154| D

17/2

Ended last season on a high and has improved again this term, bagging Newbury handicap before creditable efforts in Grade 2s at Cheltenham and here since (all 2½m). This his first attempt at 3m.

Form: 91-2132

Al Dancer⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 153| BF

13/2

Improved again with excellent third in 2½m Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November. Disappointed back there 4 weeks later but capable of bouncing back after break. Should stay 3m.

Form: 425-139

Romain De Senam^t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148

16/1

Three-time winner at around 2½m for Paul Nicholls in 2019 and it all clicked for new stable with Musselburgh win (2½m again) on New Year's Day. Up 10 lb in deeper race but yard is in cracking form.

Form: 8-864B1

Slate House^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 148| CD

10/1

Winner of Grade 1 over C&D last season. Has essentially disappointed since but latest Wincanton third (his first since wind surgery) was better. Well treated if able to build on that.

Form: 11P6-P3

Delire D'Estruval³⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 146| C

40/1

Bit of an in-and-out performer but he did post a smart effort to win 20.5f handicap here on final start last season. Has 11-month absence to overcome but has gone well fresh before. Up in trip.

Form: 21/7231-

Double Shuffle⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 145| CD

14/1

Several good efforts here and showed he's still capable of smart form when winning C&D handicap 7 weeks ago. That form been franked since so 5 lb rise may not prevent another prominent showing.

Form: 857-931

Southfield Stone¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| C

6/1

Found big-field handicap upsetting rhythm when well held in Caspian Caviar in December. Returned to win jumpers bumper 18 days ago but does need to prove he can do it in this competitive scenario.

Form: 12-1201

Cap Du Nord^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 142| BF

7/1

Form taken off lately, winning in big field at Newbury before chasing home Royale Pagaille over C&D in December. Another good run when third in Skybet at Doncaster. Should go well again.

Form: 16-4123

Young Wolf³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 138| D

18/1

Won twice at the start of the season but has struggled in competitive handicaps on his last 2 starts. Others are preferred again.

Form: 121260

The Butcher Said^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 137| DWS

9/1

Useful hurdler who quickly reached similar level over fences, winning pair of 3m novices at end of summer. Travelled well long way before fading into sixth in Skybet at Doncaster. Had wind op since.

Form: 121366

Soupy Soups^p⁶²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137| D

100/1

Enhanced good record at Perth when resuming winning ways there in August but pulled up in stronger company here over Christmas. Others are preferred again.

Form: 2P-561P

Mellow Ben⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: R Johnson| T: C Gordon| OR: 135

12/1

Right back on song when 4½ lengths third to Cap du Nord at Newbury in November. Went off too hard when well behind that same rival here over Christmas (likely still in form).

Form: 655U34

Erick Le Rouge^b1⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 134| C

22/1

Successful twice over fences last term but fair bit to prove after 3 below-par efforts this season. First-time blinkers need to have positive effect.

Form: 714-9F6

Fingerontheswitch^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 132| CD

18/1

Veteran who enjoyed excellent time of it last season, including a C&D win, but hasn't offer enough in his 2 outings this term to suggest he can win a race of this nature.

Form: 212P-49

Non-Runners

Aso¹²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 11

T: Miss V Williams J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Southfield Stone (6/1), Al Dancer (13/2), Cap Du Nord (7/1), Clondaw Castle (17/2), The Butcher Said (9/1), Slate House (10/1), Black Corton (11/1), Mellow Ben (12/1), Double Shuffle (14/1), Aso (14/1), Romain De Senam (16/1), Fingerontheswitch (18/1), Young Wolf (18/1), Erick Le Rouge (22/1), Mister Malarky (33/1), Talkischeap (40/1), Delire D'Estruval (40/1), Soupy Soups (100/1)

AL DANCER failed to fire in the Caspian Caviar at Cheltenham last time but his third in the Paddy Power there prior to that is undoubtedly good form and he can bounce back with this first attempt at 3m looking well worth a go. Cap du Nord is a must for the shortlist after 3 excellent efforts in strong handicaps. Double Shuffle's latest C&D win has been boosted since so he's also shortlisted.