EBF TBA Mares' Novices' Chase (NHMOPS Bonus Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 6m 9.2s

The Nipper¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 135| C| D

6/4

Effective from 2m-2m4f and on soft/heavy ground. The best in this field on official ratings and is 2-4 over fences. Well held in Grade 2 hurdle last time, but chasing a hat-trick over fence and will be tough to beat under a penalty.

Form: 6-24115

Happy Diva^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 128| D

2/1

Consistent mare whose three career wins have been in December/January, including last time out at Ludlow (2m4f). Acts on soft, though all wins have been on good to soft, but plenty to like about that latest effort and she has claims.

Form: 22-3221

Over To Midnight²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke

100/1

15-race maiden whose best form has been way below what will be required here and is best watched on her chasing debut.

Form: 0556-P6

Passing Fiesta¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: T J Phelan| T: S-J Davies| OR: 73

100/1

Sole success from 27 starts was in a Ffos Las hurdle (2m, good) in 2015. Recent form devoid of any inspiration and others readily preferred.

Form: PP5FP5

Rons Dream²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen

7/4

Stays 3m1½f and acts well on soft/heavy ground. Has had just two runs over fences with a long gap between. Latest, however, was last time at Chepstow when she jumped well having lost a shoe and this former smart hurdler has claims at these weights.

Form: 5-45922

Forecasts

The Nipper (6/4), Rons Dream (7/4), Happy Diva (2/1), Over To Midnight (100/1), Passing Fiesta (100/1)

A small field but this could turn out to be a fascinating contest with not a whole lot to chose between three of them on paper and the suggestion is RON'S DREAM. Peter Bowen's mare suffered the loss of a shoe at Chepstow last time but still beat all bar one home and with her two chief rivals penalised here, she could take advantage with conditions to suit. Happy Diva impressed at Ludlow and should pose a significant threat and that also goes for The Nipper, though conceding weight to both the other pair may prove problematic.