Follow At The Races On Twitter Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 26.3s

Un Prophete²⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-5| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 108

1/1

Carries a 7lb penalty for an easy 16 length victory at Ludlow last week. That was impressive and he's likely to go up plenty more in the handicap when reassessed; provided this doesn't come to soon, he's the most likely winner.

Form: 02533-2

Trapper Peak^b,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: C R Dore| OR: 106

11/2

Won twice around here, once over C&D and ran well over hurdles at Leicester last time finishing second. Capable off this sort of mark but others appear to have more in hand.

Form: 82564-7

Working Title²⁷

Age: 15| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr J Drinkwater⁽⁷⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 104

11/1

Made winning return from a long layoff at Sedgefield on Boxing Day but had to work for it and fell when trying to back that performance up the following week at Hereford. Each-way claims if none the worse for that effort.

Form: 21/1PU1-

Elkstone^h,t1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 101

7/1

Still a maiden after 12 starts under Rules and fallen on two of his three chase starts so hard to fancy.

Form: F32322-

Texas Forever^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 99

4/1

Improved to finish second at Hereford last time out and the winner from that has come out and won again since. Place claims if the cheekpieces have the same effect second time around.

Form: P22362-

Polarbrook^p¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: James Banks| T: D Shaw| OR: 92

22/1

In poor form over hurdles in recent times and has proved a sketchy jumper on more than one occasion. Minor promise at Fakenham when last seen and has won over hurdles at this course but not one to have a lot of faith in.

Form: 994754-

Non-Runners

Bally Lagan¹³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 9

T: R Dickin J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Un Prophete (1/1), Texas Forever (4/1), Trapper Peak (11/2), Bally Lagan (6/1), Elkstone (7/1), Working Title (11/1), Polarbrook (22/1)

UN PROPHETE looks like the one to beat provided this run doesn't come too soon. He produced a dominant performance to win last time out and it's hard to see him beat carrying a 7lb penalty. If the retained cheekpieces have the same effect for Texas Forever as they did last time he could be capable of landing some prize money and Trapper Peak is a consistent sort on a fair mark. 1. Un Prophete 2. Texas Forever 3. Trapper Peak