Read Noel Fehily At 188Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 6m 32.90s

Baywing⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 142| D

3/1

Shock winner of last year's Grade 2 Towton Novices Chase at Wetherby, and gradually running into form this campaign. Not beaten far when 5th at Wetherby and 2lb lower now, so one to keep on the right side.

Form: 414-3F5

Firth Of The Clyde^b¹⁰⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 140

22/1

Veteran chaser scored at Sedgefield and Carlisle last term. Soon beaten on only start this season at Carlisle in October. 100 day absence to overcome now and has tended to do best with a prior outing. Others make more appeal.

Form: 2116/2-4

The Young Master^p,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 139| D

15/8

Decent sort at best as shown when winning thr former Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown in April 2016. Has faced stiff tasks since but fallen to an attactive rating. First-time cheekpieces might improve him and, on balance, he looks a leading contender.

Form: 6F9-U63

Smooth Stepper⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 132| CD

2/1

Last win came over C&D in January last year (second win at Newcastle) but remains 7lb higher. Kept on well latest over further at Uttoxeter and shouldn't be far away once again.

Form: 16P-502

Silver Tassie²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 128| D

16/1

Goes on any ground but just 4 wins from 40 starts. Tongue-tie failed to help last time when well beaten at Kelso and is struggling for form at present. Needs to turn over a new leaf to figure here.

Form: 13P-656

Gold Opera^v²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 123| C

12/1

Beaten just one length on seasonal reappearance at Ayr in November but disappointing since, and failed to stay 3m3f at Haydock in December. Best form at 2m4f so this stretches his stamina and he may again run out of steam.

Form: 311-4P5

Forecasts

The Young Master (15/8), Smooth Stepper (2/1), Baywing (3/1), Gold Opera (12/1), Silver Tassie (16/1), Firth Of The Clyde (22/1)

THE YOUNG MASTER has fallen to an attactive rating and connections might well have found him the ideal opportunity to regain the winning thread. This more galloping track than at Kempton latest will also suit. Baywing is aonther returning to a fair mark and despite top weight coannot be ruled out, and Smooth Stepper is another to consider as he continues to hold his form well. The other three contenders all have a point to prove at present.