13:20 Wetherby

Saturday 9 December 2017

All11:4512:1512:4513:2013:5514:2515:00

Jigsaw Sports Branding Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 6m 49.70s

Capote^p1¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119| D

4/1

Former useful novice hurdler who was off for three-and-a-half years before falling when well beaten on his return/chase debut at Chepstow in October. Unseated early back there last time. Mark generous on old form but needs clear round for starters.

Form: 1114/FF

Monsieur Arkadin⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117

12/1

Put away for summer after winning a novices' hurdle at Carlisle (3m1f, good) in May. Looked like making it two when falling heavily at last at Hexham in October. Found out in Aintree handicap last time. Dropped 4lb for chase debut but bit to prove.

Form: 432-1F0

Big Meadow^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 117| D

5/1

Another in the field who scored on debut (bumper, soft) but has been unable to add to that over obstacles. Acts with cut and stays 3m, while also dropped 3lb ahead of this chase debut. Needs to get back on track after being well held last two runs.

Form: 3323-46

Mr Love²⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: L Wadham| OR: 110| BF

5/2

Best effort over hurdles came on his second start at Uttoxeter (2m7½f, heavy) in February, when a 16L runner-up in novices' company. Dropped 4lb since well beaten when last seen in March and should be suited by 3m on this chase debut. Market check.

Form: 2/425-

Crank Em Up^v1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: David Dennis| OR: 109| D

7/2

Both his wins have been in maidens (one bumper and one novices' hurdle), the latter this time last year (2m7½f, soft). Well beaten all starts since, including on chase debut from 3lb higher last month. May have needed that but still plenty to prove.

Form: 41565-5

Captain Mowbray^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 103| BF

9/2

Has thus far proved impossible to win with (0-21), though has gone close several times, including from 1lb lower at Sedgefield two starts ago. Worth a try over this trip, though stamina a concern on soft, given best form has been on better ground.

Form: 653F25

Non-Runners

Teddy Tee²⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: N G Richards J: R D Day

Crest²¹²

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: Micky Hammond J: Finian O'Toole

Sir Will²¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: Kerry Lee J: R Patrick

Forecasts

Mr Love (5/2), Teddy Tee (3/1), Crank Em Up (7/2), Crest (4/1), Capote (4/1), Captain Mowbray (9/2), Sir Will (9/2), Big Meadow (5/1), Monsieur Arkadin (12/1)

Captain Mowbray would not be an undeserving winner after several good efforts in defeat and he is the most experienced chaser in the line-up here, but there must be a doubt about him getting home on his first try at 3m given the forecast going. Crest is very interesting on his first start for Micky Hammond and he looks more like an improver over this trip. His mark also looks fair, so a decent effort could be on the cards. Sir Will looks as though he will do better over fences and along with Mr Love, he should be checked for market confidence, though the suggestion is TEDDY TEE. Nicky Richards' eight-year-old put in a really good return run in the context of this race, is unexposed and today can be his day.