Close Brothers Business Finance Birmingham Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 2.24s

Exxaro³²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 133| D

13/2

Capable of quality form over hurdles for Henry de Bromhead but rather lost his way for another trainer last year, and now finds himself in another new yard. Trip and likely ground fine, but hard to know what to expect today. Market probably best guide.

Form: 2115/3P-

Imperial Presence⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| BF

10/3

Winner at Newbury in March (form that's stood up well) but many fences missed out that day, and jumping not so good on subsequent start at Ascot when well beaten. Trip asks another new question and a bit to prove now.

Form: 7/25512-

Midnight Cowboy¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 122| D

5/2

Only won a head at Kempton last time out but that doesn't tell the story as he was well clear when jumping sharply left at the final two fences. Penalty to carry for that but conditions should be fine and if cutting out the party tricks, every chance again.

Form: 4123-31

Red Hanrahan^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125

7/1

No chance when second to the classy Shantou Village on latest start (form that's been given a boost) but looks fairly handicapped on hurdles form and should have more to offer as a chaser. Some cut in the ground ideal and not to be dismissed lightly.

Form: 31P/6P2-

The Tailgater⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

3/1

Did it nicely over hurdles last time out and has enough chase winners in the family to think he should be up to winning in this sphere. Tough enough race for your chase debut but yard going well and likely conditions fine. Chances if jumping fluently.

Form: 6426F-1

The Coffee Hunter³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Nick Williams| OR: 110| BF

14/1

Still a maiden after 12 starts and hasn't looked like breaking his duck recently, well beaten at Ludlow latest in easier contest than this and needs improvement from somewhere. Others readily preferred.

Form: 0/42634-

Forecasts

Midnight Cowboy (5/2), The Tailgater (3/1), Imperial Presence (10/3), Exxaro (13/2), Red Hanrahan (7/1), The Coffee Hunter (14/1)

MIDNIGHT COWBOY won with far more in hand than the official winning distance at Kemton last time and would have won much easier without his antics late in the contest. He looks well treated under a penalty and can follow up. Exxaro is interesting on his first run for Colin Tizzard under conditions that should suit, but may just need this. Red Hanrahan will find this easier than trying to give Shantou Village a race at Fontwell last time and can get in the money.