EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 6m 31.21s

Elusive Theatre⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 126

13/8

Jumped boldly when making an emphatic chasing debut at Cartmel in May (2m5f), but things didn't quite go her way thereafter and switched back to hurdles. Successful at Ayr last month under similar conditions, and this track will suit her run style.

Form: 1F5751

Poetic Presence²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 72

150/1

Longstanding hurdles maiden who finished a distant last of three on her chasing debut here last month (2m5f+ heavy), and is similarly well out of her depth in this contest on these vastly unfavourable terms.

Form: 534663

Rons Dream⁶

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

4/7

A stamina test in deep conditions holds precious few fears, and she was a class act over hurdles being a five-time winner, including off a mark of 145 just 12 months ago. Getting her act together over fences, so rates as a leading player.

Form: 459222

Expresstime⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant

28/1

Scorpion mare who was picked up out of the Irish point-to-point scene for £24,000 last month. Runner up on both starts so far, including on debut to Hawthorn Cottage (UK bumper placed for Amy Murphy). Trip/ground ideal for rules/stable debut.

Form: 22

Forecasts

Rons Dream (4/7), Elusive Theatre (13/8), Expresstime (28/1), Poetic Presence (150/1)

Albeit with Expresstime making her rules debut as something of an unknown commodity, the ratings strongly imply that this race is effectively a match. Elusive Theatre enjoys racing prominently, and blitzed a similar small field when making a winning chasing debut at Cartmel in May. However, she's penalised for that success, and wasn't quite as talented as RONS DREAM over hurdles. Peter Bowen's mare is slowly getting her act together over fences (jumps proficiently), and with conditions to suit, should take all of the beating.