20:30 Kempton

Wednesday 13 March 2024

All17:2018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Read Nicky Henderson's Cheltenham Blog At unibetracing Handicap

Off time: 20:31 | Winning time: 3m 32.09s

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(3)

Bascule^b⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Ethan Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 87| BF| C

7/2

Course winner. Not discredited when fourth of 12 in handicap (2/1) at this C&D 67 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Can make his presence felt with blinkers back on.

Form: 24/384-4

(1)

Too Friendly^p⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: N Callan| T: James Owen| OR: 85| D

11/4

Useful on the level back in 2021 (trained by George Scott). Won 3 times over hurdles for current yard last summer, but below form sixth of 11 in handicap at Doncaster (16.6f, good to soft, 10/1) 88 days ago. Interesting back on the Flat.

Form: 321608/

(5)

Moliwood^b⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 82| CD

12/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022, which came at this C&D. Below form last 2 starts, back in blinkers when fourth of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 13/2) 9 days ago. Capable of getting involved if he's on a going day.

Form: 0/2-8394

(2)

Captain Kane⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Liam Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 80| D

18/1

Eight wins from 28 Flat runs. Failed to come on for reappearance run when sixth of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 12/1) 9 days ago. Bounce back called for.

Form: 1332-36

(4)

Stepney Causeway^p,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 75| D

40/1

Fairly useful handicap chaser. Back on the Flat after 6 months off (tongue strap on for 1st time in this code), never involved when sixth of 9 in handicap at this course (12f, 66/1) 11 days ago. Others preferred upped in trip.

Form: 142/00-6

(6)

Moel Arthur^t⁶²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: B R Johnson| OR: 75| BF

12/1

Made a winning handicap debut at Lingfield in 2022 and ran well all 3 subsequent outings that year, third of 5 at this C&D (7/4) in June. On a workable mark but has 20-month absence to overcome.

Form: 251223/

(7)

Barrel Aged⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J Mitchell| T: M Botti| OR: 74| CD

11/8

Has shown improved form upped in trip sent handicapping, making it back-to-back wins with a ready success in 10-runner handicap (4/5) at this C&D 49 days ago. Leading contender.

Form: 2642-11

Forecasts

Barrel Aged (11/8), Too Friendly (11/4), Bascule (7/2), Moel Arthur (12/1), Moliwood (12/1), Captain Kane (18/1), Stepney Causeway (40/1)

Upped further in trip, BARREL AGED took another step forward when scoring with plenty in hand at this C&D in January and he can land the hat-trick with more still to offer. Bascule is back down to his last winning mark and could be the main danger, while Too Friendly is one to note making his first start on the Flat for his current trainer.