Christmas Parties At Western House Hotel Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 5m 42.9s

Lough Derg Jewel²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118

13/2

Consistent over hurdles last season, and showed some improvement on final start to run a close second to Too Many Chiefs at Kelso. Bred for fences and chances if fit after an absence, although may want slightly better ground than is likely here.

Form: 314332-

Mac N Cheese⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117| D

5/4

Not seen much over the past couple of years but simply could not have won any easier at Perth (heavy ground) last time out despite taking a keen hold early. Could be anything and obvious chance here if fencing fluently.

Form: 76761/1

Glingerside¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 116| C

33/1

Winner in heavy ground here in January and went mighty close to following up next time out (form solid) but recent efforts less encouraging, and was well beaten on reappearance run. Too soon to write off but needs to bounce back now.

Form: 87120-P

Chateau Robin²⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 105

9/2

Couldn't really be said to be progressing last year but possible there was a physical issue (looked to stop quickly at times) and no surprise if she fared better here. Should do better with time anyway, so can't be discounted.

Form: 2/5722-

Lochnell¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: I A Duncan| OR: 103| CD

9/2

Has plenty of positives about her, being a C&D winner in heavy ground in March and only 1lb higher here. Ran well again last time out, and if coming on a bit from that effort, should be able to throw down a challenge at some point.

Form: 32128-4

Oscar's Prospect²⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 102

9/1

For she's shown so far is only moderate but it's still fairly early days over hurdles for her yet, so could improve. Trip and ground both fine, and ran okay after an absence last year, so another to consider in an open contest.

Form: 5/42224-

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

Ninepointsixthree¹⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: S England J: Jonathan England

Forecasts

Mac N Cheese (5/4), Chateau Robin (9/2), Lochnell (9/2), Lough Derg Jewel (13/2), Oscar's Prospect (9/1), Ninepointsixthree (12/1), Glingerside (33/1)

MAC N CHEESE rather falls into the "could be anything" category at this stage and it's notable that connections are keen to get him over fences as soon as possible this season. The hint should be taken, and he can make a winning chase debut. Sam England is once again advertising her training skills this season and Ninepointsixthree might be the one to chase him home, with this step up in trip likely to help his cause. Chateau Robin will surely do better at some point.