Barr Environmental Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 3m 59.20s

Copain De Classe^t1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| BF| D

5/2

Beat Azzuri 8L over hurdles. Chase form is a mixed bag but latest effort can be excused on account of the ground. Tongue-tie added and stable have a good record here.

Form: 1P1-315

Valhalla^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| D

10/3

Suited to forcing tactics at this trip. Winner of a couple of three-runner races this winter which do not stand up to scrutiny and he faces competition for pacemaking duties.

Form: 33F113

Lofgren^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| D

5/1

Last two wins have come at this trip and he has been waiting for better ground. Well treated although yard are finding winners hard to come by at present.

Form: 24565P

Azzuri^t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

2/1

Ran a blinder last time on ground softer than idea. Back to his optimum trip here and conditions are more favourable. Capable of making all.

Form: 113643

Prairie Town^b²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 123| CD

10/1

Landed a gamble at Sedgefield to take his record to 3-38. Stable 5-9 in last two weeks but he still has work to do against this type of company.

Form: 034812

Non-Runners

Verona Opera²⁰

Weight: 10-7| Age: 7

T: S R B Crawford J: R Johnson

Forecasts

Azzuri (2/1), Copain De Classe (5/2), Verona Opera (5/2), Valhalla (10/3), Lofgren (5/1), Prairie Town (10/1)

There is every chance of a strong pace in this with Valhalla and Azzuri likely to press on from the front. The latter has been waiting for better ground and could seize the opportunity. Copain De Classe was too good for Azzuri over hurdles but his chase form is inadequate and his mark leaves him vulnerable. VERONA OPERA comes from a stable in form and she will find this race setting up nicely for her if the pace is as predicted. She was not disgraced in Listed company at Carlisle in December and she has been given an excellent chance off this mark.