Will youth or experience come out on top in competitive handicap chase?

Tuesday: 2.45 Leicester
Pertemps Network Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The market is likely to tell the most accurate story about French recruit Red Happy, who makes his debut for David Pipe off an official mark of 123.

He arrives on the back of wins at Fontainebleau and Meslay-Du-Maine last month, which were both achieved on ground officially described as very soft.

The four-year-old, who receives an 8lb weight-for-age allowance, will encounter much less testing conditions on this British debut, but his sire Red Dubawi boasted Group-winning form on good ground.

Ahead Of The Field won’t appeal to those punters who are put off by tail-swishers, but repeated flashes on the Southwell run-in didn’t stop Emma Lavelle’s six-year-old off a 5lb lower mark this month.

He tackles stronger company now, but remains lightly raced after only four starts under rules and clearly has the potential for further improvement.

Kilbrook, another last-time-out scorer, had to dig very deep to win a five-runner 2m4f handicap chase at Carlisle in October, and there appears very little substance to that form.

Few excuses can be made for Jimmy The Digger’s last two defeats on good ground at Uttoxeter and Market Rasen, and the Lucy Wadham-trained Somekindofstar makes greater appeal.

A combination of a lack of peak fitness plus the tendency to idle in front probably contributed to his Fontwell defeat this month.

Nonetheless he ran an excellent race to finish runner-up to Kap Auteuil, and should remain highly competitive off a 2lb higher mark in a first-time visor.

He is one of only two runners in the 11-strong field to possess course and distance-winning form, with Prairie Town, successful in this race two years ago, the other.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Kerry Lee, trainer of Magic Dancer
He’s down in grade to a 0-125 which is a key factor as he’s been consistent in a better grade without winning. He’s not been quick enough over two miles so we’re upping him in trip and Daire McConville has done plenty of schooling on him of late and gets on very well with him.

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Kilbrook
He’s short on experience over fences having had only the one run when he won at Carlisle but he’ll enjoy the ground if it has a bit of good in it.

Tom Bellamy, rider of Ahead Of The Field
He won nicely at Southwell last time when he didn’t do a lot when he hit the front so hopefully there’s more to come. He missed an engagement at Wincanton on Boxing Day as the ground was too soft so hopefully he should enjoy this better ground.

Henry Daly, trainer of Jimmy The Digger
He’s only a novice and is difficult to train which is why he doesn’t run that much. He seems in good form at home, however, and should like the ground.

Sam Allwood, trainer of Rob The Getaway
He was a bit disappointing at Huntingdon last time but seems to have bounced back at home and he would have an each-way chance on his best form.

Katie O’Farrell, rider of First Class Return
He needs to step up on his recent efforts but could well be suited by coming back in trip from three miles.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Prairie Town
He won the race a couple of years ago but obviously father time is catching up with him now. He's had a couple of runs over hurdles and now goes back chasing so we'll see how it goes.
Reporting by David Milnes

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