'It's nice to be running off that sort of mark' - key quotes for handicap chase

Play Tote Cheltenham Ten To Follow Handicap Chase | 3m1f | 5yo+ | RTV

Robert Walford's only representative in this race since the inaugural running in 2014 won and that makes Ede'iffs Elton of immediate interest.

The eight-year-old was a 21-length winner over course and distance last time but the form shouldn't be taken at face value as the even-money favourite, Ask Me Early, unseated Sean Bowen at the tenth.

While he did it easily, Ede'iffs Elton's margin of victory may have been exaggerated and he must defy a 5lb rise in a deeper race.

There are a couple of other course-and-distance winners in the field and both ran in this last season.

Favori De Sivola was fourth off 9lb lower on similar ground, while Putdecashonthedash was ten lengths clear of that one in third and renews rivalry on 12lb better terms.

Poppa Poutine has been running well in defeat but had a tough race at Sandown last time and might find a couple too good, while the rain will need to stay away for Oscar Robertson to show his best.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Kayley Woollacott, trainer of The Kings Writ
He seems in good form. He took a while to come back after Sandown, which was fairly attritional. We were conscious to give him plenty of time to get over it and he's come out well. It's nice to be running off that sort of mark for a change, he's come down a fair bit and it's by far the easiest grade he's been in for a long time. He's got good form at Wincanton.

Keiran Burke, trainer of Putdecashonthedash
He's never won off this mark before so he's a bit up against it. I'm a bit concerned about the ground now. Ideally, as he's in a better race, you'd want the softer ground. I did declare him on softer ground and now they've decided it's not going to rain!
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

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