Vera Davies Memorial Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 48.30s

The Gipper¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134| CD

8/1

Second of four, beaten 10L, in a Newton Abbot beginners' chase on debut in May. Handicapper has left his rating alone after just the one run and that might still be a bit steep for this first try in novices' handicap company.

Form: 5F251-2

Mad Jack Mytton^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| BF| D

15/8

Decent over hurdles and made a winning start to his chasing career when taking a novices' event at Worcester (2m½f, good) last month by 15L. Beaten over 5L from 2lb higher in a handicap last time, but can again go well.

Form: F0-1614

Bigmartre¹⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 132| D

13/8

Another who was very useful over hurdles. Makes his chasing debut today and if he can transfer his hurdling abilities across to this discipline (he is related to chase winners) then he could give them all plenty to think about.

Form: 33/1860-

Mick Thonic^t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132| D

4/1

Won a novices' chase at Cheltenham in the spring (2m½f, good) and perhaps both 2m5f and heavy ground conspired against him when beaten 14½L on his reappearance last week. Could do much better again today.

Form: 32F01-3

Darebin¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123| D

14/1

Chasing newcomer whose three hurdles wins were all on soft ground, so whether he will be as good when it is this quick is something for him to prove. Starts on a similar mark to which he last ran over hurdles and probably best watched today.

Form: 0/61630-

Forecasts

Bigmartre (13/8), Mad Jack Mytton (15/8), Mick Thonic (4/1), The Gipper (8/1), Darebin (14/1)

One or two of these could turn out to be better than their already very respectable hurdles form and BIGMARTRE is the one to get the nod on this occasion. Admittedly he has no prior experience, but he is sure to be well prepared and may have more scope than obvious dangers Mad Jack Mytton and Mick Thonic, each of whom has already won a chase. The Gipper should also be capable of improvement.