starsportsbet.co.uk Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 5m 29.2s

Wood Pigeon^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 100

7/2

Appears to be making a better fist of chasing the second time around and got off the mark with a sound jumping win at Fakenham last time. Up 3lb for that win he's proved vulnerable off marks like this before and this is a slightly higher grade than last time.

Form: 59-64U1

The Bay Birch⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 94

5/2

A maiden of long standing when trained in Ireland all of that so nearly changed on her initial run for this yard (well backed) at Leicester. That run came in a 0-120 and this is a drop in grade so a repeat of that run would see her going close off the same mark.

Form: 523572

The Lion Dancer^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: C J Mann| OR: 94

9/2

A lightly-raced winner in point-to-points his Rules debut and subsequent run over fences showed little (stiff task on debut). Given two runs over hurdles since he now makes his return to fences going handicapping for the first time and that at least gives him more chance.

Form: 5-15P66

Skipping On^h⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁷⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 92| C

11/4

Confirmed the promise of his first run over fences when taking a 2m handicap chase here last time off today's mark. The first-time hood worn then is retained now and he escapes a 7lb penalty making him well-in at the weights; scope for improvement in his jumping but hard to ignore.

Form: 642-851

Tower Of Allen¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 92

14/1

There have been some glimmers of ability over fences since he left Nicky Henderson for current connections (travelled well on a couple of occasions). Failed to complete after a break last time though when falling heavily at Fakenham in the race won by Wood Pigeon.

Form: 98-534F

Kavanaghs Corner^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Conor Shoemark| T: Simon Earle| OR: 77

7/1

Still a maiden but has shown some ability over fences in low-grade handicaps although his jumping leaves a little to be desired. On a career-low mark now with the tongue-tie tried again but still has work to do with some of this field.

Form: 53/3-P74

Forecasts

The Bay Birch (5/2), Skipping On (11/4), Wood Pigeon (7/2), The Lion Dancer (9/2), Kavanaghs Corner (7/1), Tower Of Allen (14/1)

For all its a low-grade handicap chase there are a couple here that may be able to progress a little further yet over fences plus a couple for whom handicaps at least give them a chance. SKIPPING ON may well have benefitted from some fences being left out when winning over short here last time out but he travelled well and this trip looks to suit and he escapes a penalty for that win. Wood Pigeon has to be respected on his win last time out but Fakenham and Towcester as very different tracks and The Bay Birch may provide the biggest danger after showing improved form last time. The Lion Dancer should have more to offer now he goes handicapping over fences for the first time.