The inaugural Racing Plus Chase, formerly known as the Racing Post Chase, has been won by some classy staying chasers in the past notably Desert Orchid, Marlborough, Nacarat and the 2011 winner Quinz. The weights this year are headed by Hennessy runner-up Planet of Sound with a total of 15 declared runners. Paul Jacobs gives his assessment of the field below.

Recommended bets: - SARANDO (each-way) @ 28/1 PLANET OF SOUND @ 5/1

(Prices correct as of February 21st)

TIPPING PREVIEW - With just the 10 runners declared and the majority of them exposed form wise, this renewal of this normally competitive handicap chase doesn’t have the strength in depth of previous years which means those at the top of the weights need to be seriously considered starting with my first selection PLANET OF SOUND. The Phillip Hobbs’ runner first served notice that he would be effective over this trip when landing the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April 2010. He has only seen a racecourse three times since then, finishing a fair third in a Betfair Chase and then tailed off in a King George. However, he suggested he was as good as ever when putting up a bold display under 11-2 (handicap rating of 158) when second in the Hennessy at Newbury in November and is able to race off the same mark on Saturday. It is also worth remembering this is only his 14th chase start and all of his best form has come on ground no more testing than good to soft. So despite his top price of 5/1 favourite he looks a worthy market leader.

Nacarat has a tremendous record in the race, but is still seven pounds above the mark which saw him successful here in 2009 and only two pounds lower than his distant third last year. The quicker the ground the better for him, but in receipt of only four pounds from the favourite I think his chance of a second win in the race has passed by. SARANDO started off this season with a fluent win at Carlisle after signing off last season with a half a length second to Quito De La Roque at Aintree. He was in the process of running a big race in the Hennessy before coming to grief with a soft fall at the 16th, but had a nice pipe-opener over hurdles at Ascot last week when running on well through the last three furlongs to finish 11 of 18 behind Bourne. He is now a full eight pounds lower than at Newbury and is way over priced at 25/1 and bigger on the exchanges.

Michel Le Bon hasn’t run since that Newbury race where he shaped better than his finishing position suggests while stable mate Royal Charm has been crying out for good ground, but for me over two and a half miles as opposed to three here.

BET NOW - SARANDO (each-way)

BET NOW - PLANET OF SOUND