squareintheair.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 3m 57.20s

Chitu^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: P Griffin| OR: 137| D

50/1

One of the more experienced chasers in the field and soon to lose his novice status. He has shown he has ability over fences but looks at his best on softer ground.

Form: 21-2131

Mick Thonic^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132| CD

33/1

Just 1/10 over fences with that sole victory coming narrowly in a small field affair. Has plenty to find with many of these on ratings.

Form: 2F01-3U

Sceau Royal²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 154| CD

11/8

Won as his odds-on price suggested he should when beating Ballyhill at Warwick earlier in the month. This this obviously tougher but his form over hurdles suggests he should handle this quality of race.

Form: 14369-1

Ballyhill²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| D

14/1

Didn't run badly when second to Sceau Royal on chasing debut at Warwick last time out, but no obvious reason he should reverse form with that reopposing rival in a deeper race.

Form: 43500-2

Movewiththetimes²⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146

2/1

Came within less than a length of winning this year's Betfair Hurdle and had run well in a Graded novice hurdle prior to that. Looks like he will be better over fences and holds leading claims here.

Form: 1/1512-

North Hill Harvey²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| CD

10/3

Winner of the Greatwood Hurdle last season having failed to truly make his mark in Graded company as a novice hurdler. Should be in the mix on this chasing debut.

Form: 294/100-

Presenting William¹⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: A Phillips

200/1

Winning point-to-pointer (3/22 in that sphere) but well-beaten in two bumpers in his younger days and has it all to do on his return to racing under rules.

Form: P4144-F

Forecasts

Sceau Royal (11/8), Movewiththetimes (2/1), North Hill Harvey (10/3), Ballyhill (14/1), Mick Thonic (33/1), Chitu (50/1), Presenting William (200/1)

This looks likely to be between Sceau Royal and MOVEWITHTHETIMES. The former won nicely on chasing debut last time out, getting the better of Ballyhill on that occasion, but things fell apart from him rather quickly last season and there's no saying that the same won't happen this campaign. The selection impressed with a very game second in the Betfair Hurdle but has always looked a chaser and can open his account here on his first run over the larger obstacles. Last year's Greatwood Hurdle winner North Hill Harvey may be next best.