UBS Wealth Management Birmingham Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 2.30s

Tara View³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 128

9/1

Useful hurdler (three-time winner) who very much looked in need of the run when returning from a break at Ayr last time. Now makes her debut over fences off a 2lb lower mark with the ground looking to suit for a leading yard.

Form: 114/P30-

Dandy Dan^t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 126

5/1

Yet to run in a handicap or over fences (debut in both spheres) having won his first two starts (one bumper; one hurdle). Hasn't quite managed to build on that promising start to his career though but is in good hands; market worth noting.

Form: 11253-

Lithic^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124

5/2

Yet to win over fences (0/4) but did look rather better over fences than hurdles when chasing last season. Yard look in better form now and although he was stretched by the 3m trip last time over hurdles he shaped well enough; interesting contender.

Form: 1332F0-

Sister Sibyl²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: H Morrison| OR: 123| BF

5/2

Possibly should have opened her account over fences before she won in smooth style at Cheltenham in a weak looking race for the grade. Ran well enough attempting to follow-up that success over 2m here; travels well but can find little.

Form: 34F212-

Alf 'n' Dor^b,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 107| D

10/3

Awkward sort who finally got off the mark over fences when dropped in grade at Ffos Las (led; jumped with more fluency than usual). Ran well enough back in a handicap last time but still found less than likely at the business end; caution advised.

Form: P3251-2

Non-Runners

Okotoks⁷⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Sister Sibyl (5/2), Lithic (5/2), Alf 'n' Dor (10/3), Dandy Dan (5/1), Okotoks (6/1), Tara View (9/1)

An interesting little heat and Sister Sibyl is sure to be of interest especially as she’s run well the last twice and showed that she could handle this course on her last start. She has though failed to deliver on a few occasions and a chance is taken with LITHIC who was sharpened up over hurdles last time and has arguably deserved to win over fences before. Tara View despite giving weight away all round will enjoy this test on the ground and Okotoks might not be a forlorn hope yet having looked as though he was finding his feet last time.