NON-RUNNER

TIMEFORM VIEW Winless since 2020 but in good nick until only eighth of 16 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (20.6f) 21 days ago This is easier and the sort to bounce back.

4 KAUTO THE KING (FR) (42) 112P53 CD 9 11-0

HHHHI BHA126

Br B g Ballingarry (IRE) - Kauto Luisa (FR) Harry Kimber (3) J

O Jenny Perry and Celia Goaman

Joe Tizzard, Sherborne T

B Mr Jean-Philippe Aubert Coral Racing Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Completed a hat-trick in small-field handicap chases during the summer Below his best since though so this 3-time C&D winner needs to take a step forward.

5 FLAGRANT DELITIEP (FR) (59) 13-P446

Br Gr g Fragrant Mix (IRE) - Naltiepy (FR)

TFRHHHII BHA123

CD 8 11-0

Mr Freddie Gordon (7) J

O Mrs Christine M. Hinks Robert Walford, Blandford T

B Michel Contignon & Mme Nelly Contignon Tote S

TIMEFORMVIEWYettohittopformthisterm,butnotdisgracedbackat2mwhensixthof10inhandicapchaseatLingfield 59 days ago. Back up in trip and this C&D scorer is weighted to go well off a 4lb lower mark here. TFRHHHHH BHA123

6 BALKO SAINT (FR) (15) 04-3646 C 6 10-6

Br B g Balko (FR) - Sainte Cupid (FR) James Best J

O Mrs Jane Williams

Mrs Jane Williams, South Molton T

B E.A.R.L. Haras Du Mondant Culverhill Farm Racing S

TIMEFORM VIEW Mixed record over hurdles last season but fared better than of late over fences when sixth of 13 in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f) 15 days ago Needs to build on it now.

TFRHHHII BHA115

DECLARED RUNNERS 6 2022: NATIVE ROBIN (IRE) 12 10 9 David Prichard 11-2 (Jeremy Scott) 6 ran Tongue Strap worn by No 4. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 1, 3.

Probable S.P’s: 11-10 Flic Ou Voyou (FR), 3-1 Flagrant Delitiep (FR), 4-1 Kauto The King (FR), 8-1 Balko Saint (FR), 10-1 Neville’s Cross (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

A number of these arrive with question marks against them so it is worth siding with FLAGRANT DELITIEP to bag a second C&D success now he reverts to his optimum trip off a handy-looking mark. Flic Ou Voyou could emerge as the chief threat if resurgent after a break and Kauto The King could prove best of the remainder