Richard Birch's play of the day at Wincanton

Force De Frap
3.38 Wincanton

You will struggle to find an easier winner of a low-grade handicap chase this season than Force De Frap at Bangor in December.

Ridden with supreme confidence from well off the pace, the nine-year-old, trained by Emma-Jane Bishop, looked in a different league as he cruised to the front three out. Well clear at the final fence, he was eased down on the flat but still managed to thrash Yellow Jacket by 15 lengths.

It was no surprise a 10lb rise failed to stop him at Ludlow next time and, although Force De Frap got up only in the final stride to deny Abingworth by a short head, it’s likely he would have won in much less dramatic fashion bar an untidy leap two out, which probably cost him three lengths in momentum.

Abingworth has since won at Wincanton, while the fourth, Chance A Tune, subsequently hit the right note at Hereford.

Force De Frap was foiled in his hat-trick bid at Stratford next time off a 4lb higher mark, but there is a strong possibility he merely ran into a very well-handicapped rival and performed just as well – if not better – than for his two wins.

After all, the Dan Skelton-trained Doyouknowwhatimean had won in a common canter on his previous start, and proved six and a half lengths too strong for Force De Frap.

That result doesn’t necessarily mean the handicapper has won his battle with Force De Frap, and I will be backing him to resume winning ways in Wincanton’s 2m handicap chase.

Conditions look ideal and he can get the better of hat-trick-seeking Royal Mer, who is now 15lb higher than when winning at Leicester last month.