Congratulations To Brian Hughes From Stobart Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 50.8s

Spiculas²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 118

15/8

Made a reasonable start to his chasing career at Carlisle earlier this month when chasing home multiple winner Halcyon Days (2m Good to Soft). Former useful hurdler for Keith Reveley, and consistent enough over timber in three starts for this trainer since returning to the track in December 2016.

Form: 11/2442

Smoking Jacket¹³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 112

9/4

Bumper and hurdles maiden who initially appeared suited by the switch to fences, winning on his second start over the larger obstacles at Stratford in October 2016 by 3½L (2m1f Good). However, this mark has proved just beyond him since, and he lacked fluency prior to falling at Newbury in December. However, he's back fresh from a short break on ground which looks ideal.

Form: F04-13F

Endless Credit²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 111

16/1

Pulled up on his chasing debut at Carlisle earlier this month, struggling early in the race in which Spiculas was a runner up. A dual winner over hurdles (early 2015), but despite his trainer saddling a couple of winners already this week, he needs to do much more to take a hand in this race.

Form: 9286P1-

Chain Of Beacons^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: D R Fox| T: A M Thomson| OR: 106

3/1

Suited by decent ground and finally got his head in front at Newcastle earlier this month (2m). Not able to defy a penalty at Kelso two days later, although he looked like doing so for much of the race until headed close home by Welcome Ben. This looks tougher, but remains respected.

Form: 226123-

Wot A Shot²³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 104

16/1

6L winner of a C&D Class 5 novices handicap chase in May 2016 (Good), so these conditions hold no fears. Furthermore, twice a runner up thereafter at this same venue, but has continued to inch up the weights as a result, and others might be slightly better treated for now on his return to action for another spring/summer campaign.

Form: 1322P4-

Las Tunas³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: R M Smith| OR: 100

11/1

Three time French hurdles winner, who took advantage of a falling mark to get his head in front at the sixth attempt over fences at Ayr in February. He stayed on strongly in testing conditions to beat Casual Cavalier by 2L, but has twice been beaten since over marginally longer trips. Largely unproven if the ground rides genuinely good.

Form: P6413P

Non-Runners

Ryalex²²

Weight: 10-4| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Forecasts

Spiculas (15/8), Smoking Jacket (9/4), Chain Of Beacons (3/1), Ryalex (6/1), Las Tunas (11/1), Endless Credit (16/1), Wot A Shot (16/1)

Given the race title, Spiculas (Brian Hughes ridden) would be an appropriate winner, and unexposed over fences, there has to be every likelihood that he'll go close. He probably has the measure of both Ryalex and Endless Credit on the evidence of their Carlisle clash. Chain Of Beacons is in good form and will appreciate the ground, but he's arguably not 100% reliable. Las Tunas would be suited should any significant rain arrive (not forecast), so SMOKING JACKET is the selection. He has a good racing weight, and could prove a much better horse for a mid-season break, and a mere reproduction of his Stratford form from October looks good enough here.