Glenearn Flooring Balnakeilly Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 4m 57.0s

No No Mac^t⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 135

9/1

Races from a tough enough mark after winning by 3½L at Ayr three starts back, but not totally disgraced behind some useful rivals in a stronger race at that same venue last weekend (won by Label Des Obeaux). Dam a half-sister to useful chasers Mini Sensation and Shotgun Willy.

Form: 135137

Chidswell²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 132

5/1

The winning run came to an end at Kelso earlier in the month, but he possibly found that track a shade too sharp, with the fences coming up quickly (lacked fluency). A step back up to this trip should suit, but with the exception of his early bumper days, most of his races have come with some cut.

Form: 242113

West Wizard^p1,t1⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 131

10/1

Three time career winner (Kempton x2 and Ffos Las). Got within a neck of the idling Dueling Banjos on heavy ground at Ffos Las last month, but crucially does appear to handle a variety of racing surfaces. Tongue tie and cheek-pieces applied for the first time.

Form: F5-2162

Definite Outcome^p1,t⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: R Hobson| OR: 129

2/1

Made very good progress over hurdles for Rebecca Curtis until he was found out in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last season. However, he also seems to being going the same way over fences and, despite winning at Chepstow on his chasing bow, jumping errors have been his undoing of late and he has a bit to prove. Makes stable debut with cheek-pieces added to usual tongue tie.

Form: P/1UPPF-

Aminabad^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: P Griffin| OR: 125

20/1

Prominent racing 2m3f Catterick winner in January (beat Two Taffs), who has probably done as well as could be expected since set stiff tasks on all three subsequent starts at Newcastle, Aintree and Cheltenham. Not discounted on ground which should suit.

Form: 74130F

The Fresh Prince⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 123

9/1

Taken out of a planned engagement at Fontwell last Friday, with the bulk of his winning form coming with cut. Possibly keeps a little back for himself and remains 5lb higher than when winning at Uttoxeter in late January, so on that basis, others are preferred.

Form: 1-6F132

Lord Ballim^h,t²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 120

11/4

Held up and unseated rider at the eighth here on Wednesday when seeking a four-timer. Had been raised 9lb for his latest success at Carlisle earlier in the month, but that looked justifiable given the manner of that success. Dropping back in trip to 2m4f looks ideal assuming he's none the worse for this week's earlier mishap.

Form: P2111U

Forecasts

Definite Outcome (2/1), Lord Ballim (11/4), Chidswell (5/1), The Fresh Prince (9/1), No No Mac (9/1), West Wizard (10/1), Aminabad (20/1)

A difficult puzzle to solve with a number of these horses seemingly wanting softer ground than they're likely to encounter. West Wizard makes the long journey North and conditions shouldn't trouble him, but the double application of tongue tie and cheek-pieces are a concern. Chidswell looks guaranteed to relish stepping back up in trip after finding Kelso way too sharp for him on his latest start, but he's another who prefers cut. No No Mac has had a busy week, and this is definitely easier than the race he ran in at Ayr on Scottish National weekend, but the vote goes to the lightly weighted LORD BALLIM who needs to show he's none the worse for Wednesday's experience, but if doing so can make it a fourth success in five starts for Nigel Hawke and Ciaran Gethings.