Injured Jockey's Fund Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 8.8s

Cracking Find⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 122| CD

4/1

Won a Newcastle novices' handicap chase (2m½f, good) in November from a mark of 122 and wasn't too far short of that form when 12L third here (1m7½f, soft) last time. Won over hurdles here at this trip, but heavy ground a concern.

Form: 2-33153

De Dollar Man⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 139| BF| D

7/4

His Exeter win (2m3f, soft) by 5L from a mark of 134 in December reads well in context. Was beaten favourite back in one of these races at Wetherby last time, but acts on heavy and if he can perform to his optimum he has strong claims.

Form: 139-412

Scorpo⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: V Thompson

50/1

Has only once made the frame in point-to-points and did the same for the first time under rules at Ayr last month, albeit a 46L last of three. Impossible to make a case for him in this field.

Form: 9/25-PU3

Solid Strike³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Paul Collins

50/1

Has won four of his 13 point-to-points, but is 0-3 under rules and was always last when beaten 33L on his reappearance in a Southwell novices' chase last month. Not easy to make a case for him.

Form: 211/41-5

Verni²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| D

1/1

Was a useful hurdler who finished runner-up in last year's Martin Pipe (2m4½f) at the Cheltenham Festival. Ran well on recent chase debut over a similar trip to this at Exeter (heavy) and has claims in receipt of weight from chief opponent.

Form: 1212-52

Forecasts

Verni (1/1), De Dollar Man (7/4), Cracking Find (4/1), Solid Strike (50/1), Scorpo (50/1)

Philip Hobbs can make the long trip north for VERNI pay off here and the nine-year-old is taken to build on the promise of his Exeter chase debut and take advantage of the 6lb he receives from the more experienced De Dollar Man. The latter is certainly feared in opposition, while Cracking Find looks the only other serious candidate.