Smarkets Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 53.84s

Walt²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr James King⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127

10/3

Just the one handicap hurdle to his name so far but still has to defy top weight here. Has shaped with some promise on two starts over hurdles so far, however.

Form: 1332-43

Bill And Barn²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| D

9/4

Dead-heated with Rhaegar (runs earlier on this card) in a hurdle at Chepstow last time out and makes his chase debut. Looks a leading contender if taking to fences for a trainer who often starts off nice chasers here.

Form: 16/4-651

Holbrook Park^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: N B King| OR: 125

10/1

Winner of a minor beginners' chase at Fakenham two starts back but if his performance at Newbury last time is anything to go by he has plenty of improvement to find here.

Form: 4242-1P

Silverhow¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124

10/1

Fell at the first on chase debut last time and is given another chance here. Obviously needs to improve on jumping but has the form over hurdles to go very well over a trip which should suit.

Form: 71216-F

Le Boizelo⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 121| D

7/4

Improved to finish a close second at Exeter last time in similar conditions to this. That was his second run after a break and if coming on again should enjoy the ground and be able to run a very big race.

Form: 941U/32

Forecasts

Le Boizelo (7/4), Bill And Barn (9/4), Walt (10/3), Silverhow (10/1), Holbrook Park (10/1)

Silverhow may make up into a smart chaser in time if brushing up his jumping having fallen at the first at Plumpton last time, but preference is for LE BOLZELO. He clearly enjoyed the testing conditions when second at Exeter last time out in what was another step in the right direction following a long period away from the track. If coming on again he looks to have a fantastic chance off the same mark. Bill And Barn also commands respect on chase debut, especially as his trainer often uses this track as a launch-pad to bigger and better things for his novices.