Weatherbys General Stud Book Online Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 6m 15.50s

Lake View Lad²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 132| C

4/1

A most talented horse in bumpers and northern novice hurdles but it's fair to say his debut season over fences didn't quite go to plan after an encouraging start. Back with a solid effort at Ayr last month (2m heavy), and more to offer up in trip.

Form: 141/26-3

Central Flame²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss C Walton⁽³⁾| T: J Walton| OR: 130

16/1

Has slowly lost his way since a progressive spell as a novice/handicap hurdler in the early months of 2015. Useful over 2m4f on soft ground on his day, and okay over fences, but no show at Carlisle last month after 18 months off.

Form: 3225/4-P

Point The Way⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 129| D

3/1

Didn't manage to win outside of novice company over hurdles, but showed ability in landing a hat-trick between December 15 and February 16. Made a few errors in justifying short odds on his chasing debut at Kelso in October, and this looks tougher.

Form: P/3635-1

Solomn Grundy²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127

8/1

Beat Shantou Bob by 2¼L when winning a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Newbury in November 2016 (3m soft), so that level of form is appealing. However, he's proved disappointing over fences so far, and couldn't be supported with any real confidence.

Form: 1285-P6

Mac N Cheese^h1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 119| BF

7/2

Milan gelding who is a brother to Eider Chase winner Milborough. Back from a long absence when strolling home by 18L over hurdles at Perth in September, prior to a savage 17lb rise. Fencing not fluent at Ayr on debut, and returns wearing a hood.

Form: 6761/13

Acdc^h¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: C Grant| OR: 115

5/2

Travelled with ease through the mud at Ayr (3m soft) when beating Nakadam by 1¼L. A 3lb rise looks more than fair and he can only improve with further experience over fences (this race is just his third start). Major player.

Form: 2615-21

Forecasts

Acdc (5/2), Point The Way (3/1), Mac N Cheese (7/2), Lake View Lad (4/1), Solomn Grundy (8/1), Central Flame (16/1)

Much like in The French Furze for the novice hurdlers, this contest makes masses of appeal as a spectacle and looks choc-full of above average young Northern chasers. Lake View Lad is a grand horse, so it was a delight to see him back to form and digging in deep over a much shorter trip at Ayr last month, and he can only improve for that seasonal reappearance. Both Point The Way and Mac N Cheese are at much earlier stages of their careers over fences, and whilst both remain certain future winners, these Newcastle fences can often take some jumping, and both have some room for improvement in the fencing stakes; albeit the application of a first-time hood might help the latter to focus. Therefore, the most likely winner is ACDC. He travels well through his races, and that is a clear sign that he has much more to offer. The handicapper could've acted far harsher than 'gifting' him just a 3lb rise for his Ayr success, and he can provide local owner David Armstrong with a much sought after success in the Black and White Newcastle silks on Newcastle's feature National Hunt fixture of the year.