Racing UK Free For A Month Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 2.27s

Where's Tiger⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 103| D

5/1

Showed some ability as a novice over hurdles at around this trip. Returned from a lengthy absence to put up a promising effort on chase debut at Newcastle (2m½f, soft) in December. Can build on that from 2lb lower.

Form: 209/74-3

Black Kettle^p,t¹³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 96WS

7/1

14-race maiden who ran well on stable/chase debut when 1L runner-up at Sedgefield (2m½f, good) in September. Couldn't repeat that after 7lb rise at Uttoxeter last time and tries again after a wind op. Market check.

Form: 99-0024

Peppay Le Pugh^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 91

7/4

Has generally been consistent in the past year over hurdles, though has yet to win a race. 2m/soft ground look to be his optimum racing conditions and he will be well prepped for this chasing debut. Interesting.

Form: 476422

Oak Vintage³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 88| BF

7/4

Scored over 2m1f (good) at Kelso in November, when 9lb lower. Ran well here (2m3f, good to soft) next time when beaten 10L from 1lb higher than today. Out of sorts last time, but claims if back on song.

Form: 75-2127

Grays Choice^p,t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 85| D

12/1

Sole success came in a heavy ground Ayr bumper almost two years ago. Has been unable to get close to repeating that over hurdles and in one chase since then. Drops significantly in trip and not easy to make a strong case for him.

Form: P4550-P

Forecasts

Oak Vintage (7/4), Peppay Le Pugh (7/4), Where's Tiger (5/1), Black Kettle (7/1), Grays Choice (12/1)

Black Kettle would be very interesting if supported, having shown ability on his first start for Rebecca Menzies and now post-wind op, while a back-to-form Oak Vintage would be a danger to all. Peppay Le Pugh has always looked more of a chasing type and can probably improve on his form as a maiden over hurdles, though preference is for WHERE'S TIGER. Lucinda Russell's seven-year-old showed that he retains ability when returning from a lengthy absence at Newcastle to go well on his chase debut and from 2lb he could be about to strike.