Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 5m 31.2s

Sizing Tennessee²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147| C

11/4

More convincingly beaten than the winning margin suggested here last time but jumped better than previous starts and probably still some scope for improvement. Has a class edge on some of these but handicap mark now reflects that, each-way chance.

Form: P-2FU12

Ballyandy²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N D Fehily| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145| C

11/4

Grade 3 hurdles winner before respectable fourth at the Festival. Promising start to life over fences but struggled last time when finishing behind Sizing Tennessee and 1lb worse off at the weights with that rival. Too soon to be writing off though.

Form: 3214-14

Full Irish^t1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 137| BF| D

8/1

Useful over hurdles and has made a good start to chasing, winning on second start over fences at Lingfield. Jumping a little sketchy when a beaten favourite at Haydock last time but worth giving another chance to. Wears first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 218-414

War Sound¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132

5/1

Grade 3 winner over hurdles but is yet to get the hang of life over larger obstacles and some doubts over his stamina for this new trip. Needs to improve on second handicap start.

Form: 10/3223

Solstice Star^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M Keighley| OR: 130| CWS

16/1

Not won since a hurdles success at this meeting in 2016 but finished 2L second behind Mister Whitaker at Carlisle in November. 10lb better off with that rival today and has had a wind op since beaten last time. Interesting runner returned to fences.

Form: 26-3245

Mister Whitaker³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| OR: 129

6/1

Made a promising start over fences at Fontwell and improved to win on handicap debut at Carlisle in November, beating Solsctice Star by 2L. Good second on Boxing Day at Kempton but given a 4lb rise for that run and may appreciate a step up in trip.

Form: 343-312

Theatre Territory³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128

8/1

One win from 12 starts under Rules but she ran well here on second chase start and form of that race boosted since. Didn't back that effort up at Wincanton last time but can make her presence felt if returning to form.

Form: 467-223

Forecasts

Sizing Tennessee (11/4), Ballyandy (11/4), War Sound (5/1), Mister Whitaker (6/1), Theatre Territory (8/1), Full Irish (8/1), Solstice Star (16/1)

An intriguing contest with many of the runners on the upgrade. Preference is for SOLSTICE STAR who gets a useful pull in the weights with Mister Whitaker for two-length defeat earlier in the season and has had a wind operation since his last run. Theatre Territory and Full Irish could be worth giving another chance to after disappointing runs last time out but Sizing Tennessee could prove the main danger if his jumping continues to improve.