Ladbrokes Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 4m 3.30s

Cyrname^h,t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| D

11/4

Useful over hurdles but left that form behind with a demolition of his two (useful) rivals at Huntingdon on chase debut last month. Handicapper has had his say but no saying how far he can progress. Trip and ground fine and must be a player.

Form: 21/56-71

Dusky Legend¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 137| BF| CD

3/1

A few too many runner up spots for comfort, but she constantly mixes it with good company and has performed with credit on both chase starts. Needs to just tidy her jumping up a touch, and perhaps a little further would suit best.

Form: 2232-22

Bigmartre⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 137| D

5/1

Best when out in front, and he made all to win at Ludlow on latest start with a bit in hand. Bit to find with Cyrname on a line through the second and might prefer slightly better ground than he'll get here, but chance must be respected.

Form: 3/1860-1

Hell's Kitchen^h,t1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 137| C

4/1

Can take a hold in his races, and no surprise to see the hood given a try last time out (on again here, with the addition of a tongue strap). Looks nicely handicapped but there are question marks against him now, so others preferred today.

Form: 312/3-2

Exitas¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 133| BF| D

7/1

Has improved out of recognition this autumn, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot (well backed to do so) and then performing with credit at Cheltenham latest. Chase experience puts him in good stead here and he can't be discounted.

Form: 21F113

Crievehill¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| D

7/1

Took advantage of a falling handicap mark to score at Lingfield latest, although didn't look the easiest of conveyances at times. Nudged back up in the weights and this is tougher, so needs to pull out more, but yard in great form.

Form: 3008-71

Forecasts

Cyrname (11/4), Dusky Legend (3/1), Hell's Kitchen (4/1), Bigmartre (5/1), Crievehill (7/1), Exitas (7/1)

There's undoubtedly races to be won with Hell's Kitchen off this mark but the warning signs are there with him, and preference is for top weight CYRNAME here instead. He was impressive in a little three-cornered event at Huntingdon and his sound jumping there will put him in good stead today. Exitas just keeps improving and is not to be underestimated either. Dusky Legend can get in the shake up if she can cut out the odd mistake.