Weatherbys Private Bank Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 9.90s

Well Above Par¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-4| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112

9/2

Didn't hang about over hurdles for too long despite a couple of fair efforts on testing ground at Ayr and Hexham. His Point-to-Point background implies that fences was always his future, and he should have no problems with today's conditions.

Form: 3/P4623-

Barrys Jack¹¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 106| BF

1/1

2m5f Limerick handicap hurdle winner for P G Coffey (Dec 2016) who has done well enough without winning since switched to this trainer. His Hexham form from March (heavy) gives him fair claims on his chasing debut but this shorter trip is a concern.

Form: 9527-42

Backinthesaddle^t¹⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 97| D

9/4

Narrowly defeated Broughtons Star (by ½L) when winning a 2m Down Royal soft ground handicap hurdle for Ben Arthey in December 2016. Left that stable since his last run at Newcastle in April, and makes his chasing debut for a new yard.

Form: 130356-

Monbeg Cave¹⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 83

14/1

An eight race maiden who was fairly modest in Point-to-Points. Didn't show much over hurdles for this trainer, and a surprise if he proves strong enough on his rules chasing debut despite his light weight being a potential leveller.

Form: 588870-

Non-Runners

Hope's Wishes⁶¹

Weight: 12-3| Age: 7

T: F Brennan J: T Dowling

Forecasts

Barrys Jack (1/1), Backinthesaddle (9/4), Hope's Wishes (7/2), Well Above Par (9/2), Monbeg Cave (14/1)

A field of newcomers to fences under rules, with conditions likely to be plenty testing enough from which to be starting a new career chapter. Barrys Jack has proved relatively solid (without winning) since joining Brian Ellison, and he would've been the pick over an extra four furlongs. However, WELL ABOVE PAR has seemingly been bought with chasing in mind, and his efforts in maiden and novice hurdles at Ayr and Hexham suggest that he is capable of developing into a reasonable chaser over this trip when the ground conditions are riding deep.