Visit The All New racinguk.com Beginners' Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 17.00s

Applaus¹⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 118| D

22/1

Showed that he handles the forecast ground when recording one of his two novices' hurdle wins at Newcastle in February and was last seen adding a second at Hexham in April. Looks to have potential as a chaser, though this is a tough ask on debut.

Form: 371241-

Jonniesofa⁵⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 137

11/4

Did well in staying hurdles in 2015/16, winning a Haydock Grade 2 at his peak. Rated 137 in that sphere, but off the track since for 19 months. Resumes over much shorter trip and bigger obstacles. Acts on heavy and a player if back on song.

Form: 121219/

Nuts Well¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 136| D

9/4

Decent over hurdles at around this trip, winning four of them including on heavy ground. More exposed in that sphere than Jonniesofa, though that is not to say that he can't make a better chaser and paper does not have much to find on his debut.

Form: 832215-

Rossamilan¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

100/1

Irish point-to-point winner who didn't cut the mustard in three novices' hurdles (all on heavy and over 2m). However, this is much more likely to be his forte. Probably one to watch for the future given today's opposition on his chase debut.

Form: 421-767

Happy Diva^t¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: R Patrick⁽⁷⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 135

6/5

Best at 2m4f-3m over hurdles, where she is rated 135. Best efforts were on good to soft/soft ground in that discipline. Has the sex allowance in her favour and will be well schooled, so looks likely to be a leading player.

Form: 114222-

Forecasts

Happy Diva (6/5), Nuts Well (9/4), Jonniesofa (11/4), Applaus (22/1), Rossamilan (100/1)

A fascinating little contest, with several potentially decent chasers among the handful of runners. Although this trip is short of her best, HAPPY DIVA could be the one for today. Kerry Lee's mare could make it a real test and her sex allowance could prove to be invaluable. Nuts Well is proven on the ground and is more of a specialist at this trip and had similar ability over hurdles, so he is feared. The runner with most scope for improvement is surely Jonniesofa, though he has wellbeing to prove after such a lengthy absence and given that this trip is well short of his best, he may be a fair bit better for this run. The other pair are both worth keeping an eye on too, in a race that looks well worth noting.