Timeform Daily: The Countryside Alliance Handicap Chase (3), Friday February 27, Fakenham, 1.50

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 26 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Six go to post for this £12,500 contest over 21 furlongs. Timeform rate the runners.

The Dark Lord's best effort this season came when winning at this course in December. That was his fourth course win although he failed to complete in two subsequent runs over fences, unseating at the 12th in a handicap at Doncaster before falling at the third in a veterans event there two and a half weeks later. He is versatile with regards to tactics, but jumps poorly.

Cool Roxy is a credit to his connections, and ten of his 11 career wins have come at this course. He finished a creditable fifth to Church Island at Doncaster last time, having struggled to hold his place after a couple of mid-race mistakes. This is less competitive and he is extremely tough and reliable so it would be little surprise to see him resume winning ways here.

Richard Guest's six-year-old Dan Buoy makes his chasing debut. He showed fairly useful form at best over hurdles, and finished a good third to the improving Ballydub in a handicap at Newbury in November. He looked typically moody on three subsequent starts, and the application of cheekpieces at Bangor on Wednesday made no difference. A tall, angular gelding, he has the size to make a chaser, though simply can't be trusted.

Toni Alcala has shown fair form at best over fences, winning a handicap at Huntingdon in May. His best recent effort came when finishing a respectable fifth in a novice there on Boxing Day, though he again looked less than straightforward. He will have to put a below-par effort over hurdles last time behind him.

Cossack Dancer has been below form both starts this season, although faced a stiff task when finishing behind Gwanako in a graduation chase at Ascot in December. If he can recapture his best form he is not without hope. Ten year-old Major Belle has shown very little this season and has been set a tough assignment from so far out the handicap. He often makes mistakes over fences.