Summer form or winter form: which will come out on top in this red-hot handicap?

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase | 3m | 4yo+ | Sky

This is a fascinating clash between winter jumps form and summer jumps form. Usually it's the winter stuff that's stronger, but most who boast it in this race are returning from long absences and you would expect the summer jumps horses to be fitter.

Snow Leopardess is among those with the best winter form. She finished fourth behind Cheltenham Gold Cup outsider Galvin in the National Hunt Chase in March and was sixth at Aintree's Grand National meeting last time.

She has a 3lb pull with Canelo, who beat her by just three-quarters of a length into second in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last Christmas and might have an edge on fitness over that rival. Canelo was reported to "still be carrying a bit of condition" in Alan King's fairly recent Racing Post stable tour.

In-form Dan Skelton saddles Grand National sixth Blaklion and Captain Chaos. Blaklion makes his seasonal reappearance but Captain Chaos has had a prep run and both of Skelton's winners of this race in the last ten seasons went into it after a pipe-opener.

Blaklion: Grand National sixth set to make his seasonal reappearanceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Captain Tommy is the horse who represents the summer form. He won over three miles at Uttoxeter in May and probably found the half-mile shorter trip against him when third in the Clarke Chase back at that venue later that month.

His improvement appeared to stall at Market Rasen last month but maybe he needed that first outing since May and the return to three miles looks sure to suit. Expect a better effort this time.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Brian Ellison, trainer of Sam's Adventure and Windsor Avenue
It's a good starting point for them. Both are in very good form for the race and it will be nice to get the first race out of the way. The Welsh National is Sam's Adventure's target. I think Windsor Avenue will run very well, he disappointed towards the back end of last year but at the moment he seems in very good form.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Captain Chaos and Blaklion
Captain Chaos always takes a few runs to warm up. I said that before Ascot and I feel the same here. But he's coming down the weights, so that's helpful. Blaklion defies his age really. He's in fantastic form at home and I couldn't be happier with him. He isn't going to go and improve ten per cent, I've got him pretty straight and I'm really happy with him. He'll run in this and then he'll go to the Becher.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Snow Leopardess
It's the softest ground I could find anywhere. I probably would have preferred to have gone to Market Rasen the next day for the mares' race but the ground is too quick for her. Hopefully it should be a nice stepping stone for something like the Becher Chase.
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

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