Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 4m 12.10s

Baraza^b1,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 106

15/8

Brother to the yard's top class chaser Nacarat has progressed for switch to fences. Yard are 7-24 in chases here and he looks the clear pick on form. Made a couple of errors last time and blinkers now go on.

Form: 9-49132

Ballycash⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 105

11/4

Winning point-to-pointer makes chasing debut seeking his first win under rules. Hard to argue he is well handicapped and he will probably want further in due course. Nevertheless, if the forecast favourite disappoints he looks one of those most likely to benefit.

Form: U43F3P-

The Wexfordian^h¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: L Heard| T: M Hill| OR: 102

11/2

Maiden point-to-point winner in November. Has run to a more consistent level on his last two starts but one which gives him a little to find on his first run for new yard.

Form: 164222

Guanciale^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: D Burchell| OR: 101

25/1

Found some form last autumn when winning back-to-back handicaps at Ffos Las and Wincanton before being well beaten on soft ground at Hereford in December. Usually needs a run after a break so his latest run here three weeks ago will have put him straighter for this.

Form: P11474-

Deise Vu⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: R Brotherton| OR: 100

5/2

Capable of asking some questions of these with his bold front running style. Only 5lb higher than for his latest romp here. Can be relied upon to perform to a consistent level when he conditions similar to today.

Form: 523312-

Forecasts

Baraza (15/8), Deise Vu (5/2), Ballycash (11/4), The Wexfordian (11/2), Guanciale (25/1)

Baraza has plenty of room to carry on improving and blinkers may assist in that regard. He faces DEISE VU who made all last time and who looked the type who was capable of following up. A 5lb rise in the weights looks generous and he can repeat the feat again. Guanciale is well suited to conditions at this time of year. A run over a longer trip after an absence last time will have him straight for this but Ballycash makes his chasing debut and looks the type to do better in this sphere. The Wexfordian makes his debut for a new yard and is proving difficult to win with.