Who will get it right in the battle of the handicappers?

Tanners Champagne Handicap Chase | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

Not Available has been raised just 3lb for his victory in a handicap at Newbury last time and it's possible to argue that is lenient. However, according to Racing Post Ratings, he shouldn't have gone up at all.

He had achieved an RPR of 135 when finishing third behind Witness Protection at Chepstow last month, with a subsequent winner behind in fourth, and didn't better that figure when scoring last time. According to our handicapper, he just reproduced the same form.

We'll get a better idea of whether that assessment is correct in this contest, but Not Available will almost certainly need to produce a career best if he is going to defy even a minor rise for that last win.

Rockstar Ronnie would have been thrashed by Sebastopol had that rival not fallen at the last at Kempton last month and the BHA handicapper has taken that into account by not putting him up.

However, according to RPRs, Rockstar Ronnie bettered his previous best by 3lb that day and should have gone up at least that much. It will be interesting to see whether it is the BHA handicapper or the Racing Post's assessor who has got it right.

Getaway Trump is the best handicapped horse in the race on RPRs, having dropped to the same BHA mark (140) as when last successful in handicap company at Doncaster in March.

Bryony Frost has her first ride on board the eight-year-old, and maybe the switch of rider can bring about an improved display. It will certainly need to because Getaway Trump hasn't shown much since that last victory.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Bryony Frost: rides Getaway Trump for the first timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Fidelio Vallis and Getaway Trump
I ran Fidelio Vallis too quickly at Cheltenham after he'd had such a hard race at Chepstow, but he was only a novice until November so we were trying to take advantage of that. I'm running him here with plenty of weight because the minute it rains we'll put him away so this is probably his last chance to run on some goodish ground. Getaway Trump's been a little disappointing and it might be his last run before he comes back in the spring as well. He's well capable of running well if he comes back to form a little bit, but since he had the fall at Aintree last year he's not had that much confidence so it's been a case of trying to build that back up.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Rockstar Ronnie
He's won the last twice, albeit in fortuitous circumstances last time. He's looked progressive and likes a bit of decent ground, which should be the case here, and I'm looking forward to running him again. How he copes with his mark, he was obviously booked for second last time off it, but he's a consistent horse and should run well.

Matt Sheppard, trainer of Not Available
The handicapper only gave him 3lb for his win at Newbury which I thought was generous. He's in great order and I'm expecting a big run.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Desque De L'Isle
I'm not sure we shouldn't be stepping him up in trip now he's more settled than he was last season, but it's a local course for his owner and it's a nice race. I hope he runs well, but I'm not sure he's the speed horse two miles around Ludlow on less than soft ground might require, but we hope for the best.
Reporting by Stuart Riley

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