Come Racing New Year's Day Beginners' Chase

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 6m 51.76s

Alzammaar²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 132| D

8/1

Has posted two solid efforts over fences since joining the yard from Warren Greatrex, bumping into a pair of potentially useful horses (Brio Conti and Divine Spear). Up in trip, but that's no concern and handles Catterick fine.

Form: 0250-22

Impulsive Star²⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 139| BF| CD

1/1

Very promising novice hurdles campaign last term, with three wins from four (rated 140) before a tame show in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March. Should be well-suited to this game and in good hands going chasing and capable fresh.

Form: 1/14110-

Shades Of Midnight^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans

5/2

A solid performer over hurdles, albeit without perhaps fulfilling the potential he displayed very early in his career. Made a low-key chasing debut at Carlisle in October when last of five to Brio Conti (Alzammaar second). Up in trip, but stays.

Form: 6543P-5

Tomngerry⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 135| C

5/2

Useful novice hurdler who lost his unbeaten record in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle at Aintree in April 2016 (pulled up). Made a most pleasing, but belated return over hurdles at Carlisle last month, and looks an exciting prospect for fences.

Form: 1111P/2

Forecasts

Impulsive Star (1/1), Shades Of Midnight (5/2), Tomngerry (5/2), Alzammaar (8/1)

A small field, but a fairly select bunch, with former useful novice hurdlers IMPULSIVE STAR and Tomngerry making their respective chasing debuts. Both horses have won over hurdles at Catterick in the past and appear as intriguing prospects over the larger obstacles. Preference is for the Mulholland trained runner, as he stays particularly well, with Alzammaar much respected and likely to pounce on any failings offered by the others given his greater level of experience over fences.