Joan Mellett Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 5m 3.12s

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Selected odds by:

Shentri¹⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

10/1

Went down fighting when edged out in first-time cheekpieces over fences at Warwick in September but well below that level on both subsequent outings (latest over hurdles). Returns back over the larger obstacles and likely to find a few too strong.

Form: 523256-

Dindin^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| D

12/1

Fairly useful form over hurdles/fences in France, winning listed chase at Nantes in October. Below form since, far too free when pulled up early in straight on first start for this yard at Exeter 24 days ago. Down 4 lb but percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 14666P-

Royal Ruby¹⁰⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115| D

11/2

Fair winning hurdler who defied an 18-month absence in some style on chase debut at Stratford last July. Mixed round of jumping on both outings since, latest when fourth at Huntingdon 3 months ago. Off since but can go well fresh.

Form: 557/134-

Mystical Clouds²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: J Butler| OR: 112| D

7/2

Capitalised on a falling mark to record a first success for over 2 years at Newcastle in March. Shorter trip probably against him at Kempton next time and he's one for the shortlist with the step back up in distance sure to be in his favour.

Form: 6/P4613-

The Flying Sofa^b⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110| C

9/2

Just fair form over fences last season but ran no sort of race when pulled up mid-race over hurdles in selling handicap at Fakenham 5 days ago. Quick enough turnaround and hopes pinned on a return to the larger obstacles sparking a revival.

Form: 2/4532-P

Salamanca School²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: W Greatrex| OR: 104| CD

11/4

Showed the benefit of a recent run to double his tally in an incident-packed race over C&D 3 weeks ago, not left with a great deal to beat but jumping efficiently out in front nonetheless. 7 lb rise to contend with but expected to be in the mix.

Form: 317241-

Catch The Cuban^p,t¹⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: J Tizzard| OR: 101WS

15/2

Hit and miss profile overall but he had been holding his form over winter and gained reward with victory at Taunton back in November. Not on a going day back there a fortnight later and having had a wind op since, he will need to hit the ground running on return to feature.

Form: 523214-

Forecasts

Salamanca School (11/4), Mystical Clouds (7/2), The Flying Sofa (9/2), Royal Ruby (11/2), Catch The Cuban (15/2), Shentri (10/1), Dindin (12/1)

A winner at Newcastle in March, MYSTICAL CLOUDS found things happening plenty quick enough for him dropped back to 2¼m at Kempton last month. With this step back up in trip sure to be in his favour, John Butler's charge can regain the winning thread. Second choice is Salamanca School, who maintained his unbeaten record over fences at this course 3 weeks ago, with the returning Royal Ruby also fancied to go well.