12:50 Ludlow

Wednesday 20 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:35

Alfa Aggregate Products 'Confined' Novices' Chase

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 7.3s

Bach De Clermont²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120| BF

8/1

Expensive recruit from the point-to-point ranks who jumped better when allowed to bowl along in front last time. Rated more than 20lb below Burbank over hurdles and that underlines the mammoth task he faces.

Form: 2-13242

Burbank⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

8/11

In a different league to these judged on his hurdling form which includes a fourth in the "Neptune" back in March. Should have too much class and speed for these if taking to fences. Stable took this in 2016.

Form: 21242-0

Hogan's Height^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 122

9/2

Improved considerably on second start over fences at Towcester when allowed to dictate the running. The easier track here will be to his advantage and he could be an interesting each-way alternative to the favourite.

Form: 526-272

Max Forte³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 119

17/2

Not far behind the majority of these on hurdle ratings. However, pulled up on chasing debut and probably needs further than this.

Form: 4/9P42-P

Minella Style¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 102

66/1

Supported on handicap debut here two weeks ago but produced another underwhelming effort. Now sent chasing and looks out of his depth.

Form: 23-5604

Shanroe In Milan²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 118

9/1

Had jumped well on chasing debut here last month until the final ditch caught him out. Has gone well here over hurdles in the past but he has a lot more to find if the likely favourite runs his race.

Form: 2372-3U

Wandrin Star²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

33/1

Easy winner of an Irish point-to-point and in good hands. Surprising, therefore, that he failed to impress with his jumping on chase debut three weeks ago.

Form: 1-54

Midnight Target^h,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 105| C

16/1

Would be meeting all of these on significantly better terms in a handicap. Flattered by her proximity to Modus in a three-runner affair at Bangor and was well held when coming down here last time.

Form: 1362-2F

Forecasts

Burbank (8/11), Hogan's Height (9/2), Bach De Clermont (8/1), Max Forte (17/2), Shanroe In Milan (9/1), Midnight Target (16/1), Wandrin Star (33/1), Minella Style (66/1)

BURBANK is sure to have been well schooled for his chase debut and his athletic build has always suggested he would make his mark in this sphere. His fourth in the Neptune puts him on an entirely different level to his rivals and he is taken to repeat the yard's success in this last year. Hogan's Height and Bach De Clermont are the pick of those with chasing experience, whilst Wandrin Star is potentially better than we have seen so far.