EBF TBA Mares' Novices' Chase

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 5m 6.8s

Casablanca Mix²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135

8/11

Multiple winner in France and best effort in three starts since joining this champion trainer came when chasing home talented Willoughby Court over C&D early this month. That form sets the standard.

Form: 13P4-32

Miss Crick¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 132| D

7/2

A four-time winner over hurdles, the mare made a solid start in this sphere over a slightly longer journey at Fontwell recently, finishing 13L third of five. More will be required to get on the board here.

Form: 6-33363

Postbridge^p1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 110

100/1

Likes to be up on the pace, was never able to do that on chasing bow at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) last month and was pulled up after four out. Poor since over hurdles at Fontwell and hard to summon confidence despite first-time cheekpieces going on.

Form: 121-9P6

Theatre Territory²¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex

3/1

Lightly-raced hurdler with one win from six, in a maiden at Uttoxeter (2m, soft). Last spotted in Listed Cheltenham contest in April when not disgraced over this sort of trip. Bit to find with a couple of these on return/chase bow.

Form: 13F467-

Where's Cherry²⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104

100/1

Mare has been off best part of a year and relocated to this yard in that time. She's lightly-raced but has not achieved anything that suggests she will be a match for these rivals on her return.

Form: 223UFP-

Forecasts

Casablanca Mix (8/11), Theatre Territory (3/1), Miss Crick (7/2), Postbridge (100/1), Where's Cherry (100/1)

CASABLANCA MIX has acquitted herself since going over fences and her recent second to Cheltenham Festival winner Willoughby Court gives her rock solid claims of opening her account now. She can do so for the champion trainer at the main expense of Miss Crick, a decent hurdler that began her chasing career with a solid effort at Fontwell and should build on it down in trip now. Theatre Territory was decent over hurdles and, on first look at fences, looks the best of the rest.