Is talented Bad a good bet to make it third time lucky over fences? Analysis and key quotes for feature handicap chase

Dan Skelton, the top trainer at Southwell this season with seven winners from 26 runners, is three-handed courtesy of Bennys King, Real Stone and Salamanca Bay.

Harry Skelton, top jockey with seven winners from 20 rides, partners Real Stone, who makes his first appearance of the campaign.

He won first time out in the 2020-21 season, but remains 5lb above his last winning mark. Unless the market strongly suggests otherwise, it may prove best to focus on the Ben Pauling-trained Bad.

Thoroughly unexposed over fences after just two attempts, the five-year-old kept decent company in handicap hurdles at Ascot and Sandown last term.

Don’t forget, he was also sent off 5-1 second-favourite for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, and it would be no surprise if he simply outclassed his Southwell rivals.

Although a beaten short-priced favourite on both occasions since switching to fences, the level of form he produced suggests he could make it third time lucky.

William Cody, winner of four of his 16 starts as a chaser, races off a career-high mark of 119 following a two-length dismissal of Hystery Bere at Huntingdon last month.

This sort of trip on good to soft ground is ideal for William Cody and, while he is far more exposed than Bad, his profile suggests there could be a bit more improvement to come.

Margaret’s Legacy, a Market Rasen winner for Tim Vaughan on Boxing Day last year, returns from a 329-day layoff. He is now under the care of Warren Greatrex.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

Ground update

The going on Sunday was good to soft after 25mm of rain this month. The forecast is for dry and cloudy conditions with sunny spells and a maximum temperature of 11C.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Bennys King, Real Stone and Salamanca Bay
Bennys King unseated last time and should run well, but his legs are not as young as the others so we’ll be going down the hunter chase route with him again. Real Stone has been off the track for a while through injury and should run well, although he’ll improve for it. Salamanca Bay is keen in his races and needs to settle before we know where we are with him.

Olly Murphy, trainer of No Risk Des Flos
He posted a good first run over fences this season when second to L’Eau Du Sud at Stratford, which is a nice bit of form. He’s back down to a winning mark, but he can be inconsistent.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Eaton Collina
He ran an encouraging race on his comeback at Chepstow and we expect him to improve for that. He’s versatile as regards ground, so we expect him to enjoy this surface.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Bad
We’re lowering our sights with him after his disappointing run at Ascot last time where he didn’t jump like we know he can. He’s a talented horse who has schooled well since and he needs to get his head in front to gain some confidence.

Pam Sly, trainer of William Cody
He won well at Huntingdon last time and goes on any ground bar extremes, so we are hopeful of another good showing, although this looks a more competitive race.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Margaret’s Legacy
He’s a quirky character, who hasn’t run for me before. He seems to go well at home and he has some good form. He’s fit and well, but probably would want softer ground.
Reporting by David Milnes