Betfred Celebrating 50 Years Of Success Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 5m 44.50s

Very Extravagant^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120| C

12/1

Yet to taste defeat at this track over hurdles (two from two in handicaps over 2m7½f). However, away from this venue has found life tougher and given a break after a fall at Plumpton in November. Looked out of love with the game lately (and making mistakes), which is a worry now switched to fences for the first time.

Form: 11PF4-6

Petrou⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 110| D

5/6

Won three times over hurdles since May 21st, and as recently as Friday at Aintree (2m4f good). That success lacked the decisiveness of his previous two victories, but with a fast rising hurdles mark switches to fences for the first time, and looks likely to go very close assuming those exertions aren't beginning to leave their mark.

Form: 0/72-111

Fair To Middling^p²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 108| BF

12/1

2m3f novices handicap hurdle winner at Bangor in May 2016, and suited by generally good ground as demonstrated on numerous since occasions without winning. Off since November 2016, and now switched to fences for the first time, but with a little bit too find on hurdles ratings.

Form: 1P2462-

River Of Intrigue⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 105

10/3

Won a Worcester maiden hurdle (2m4f, good) last summer but doesn't look like becoming one of his yard's leading lights on the evidence of subsequent handicaps. Didn't appear to stay 3m on last month's chasing debut (here) and no surprise to see him dropped back in trip.

Form: 34347-4

Zolfo¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 98

5/1

Faced a stiff task on his rules chasing debut at Sedgefield in May when no match for Eyes Of A Tiger and Cup Final, but improved as expected at Bangor a fortnight ago when holding every chance when falling at the second last in a race won by Whos De Baby. Up slightly in trip, but that's not a concern, and competitive granted a clear round.

Form: 6860-3F

Forecasts

Petrou (5/6), River Of Intrigue (10/3), Zolfo (5/1), Fair To Middling (12/1), Very Extravagant (12/1)

PETROU has been in fine fettle over hurdles during the course of the past month, winning as recently as Friday evening at Aintree. With options fast-diminishing over the smaller obstacles, he tries fencing for the first time in a thirteen race career. Hailing from this stable, he's certain to be well schooled, and he can prove a shade too classy for the likes of Zolfo and Fair To Middling.