KOSB Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 11.06s

Ballyvic Boru¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 115

13/8

Runner up on his chasing debut at Sedgefield (2m good) recently, beaten in excess of 3L by a higher rated rival. Found another realistic option here on ground which he seems to handle, so should go close.

Form: 15130-2

Jassas¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Ewart| OR: 115

4/1

Former French racer who made a winning UK debut over hurdles at Newcastle in November (2m good). Ran to a similar level in better races since, but now makes the switch to chasing following wind surgery. Conditions fine.

Form: 742/168-

The Road Home^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 115

6/1

Won a maiden hurdle at Musselburgh in early January (2m good to soft), and does boast experience over fences in Irish point-to-points (1/4). Makes his rules fencing debut, but with the ground arguably riding quick enough.

Form: 581D30-

Little Stevie^t¹⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112

3/1

Has left Enda Bolger since his last start at Gowran Park in November 2017, and makes his debut for a new trainer with a career record of 1 from 20. Has placed form over fences in Ireland.

Form: 796326-

Petapenko^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 96| BF| D

10/1

Unable to justify favouritism over hurdles at Southwell latest, producing a tame effort. Now onto his third trainer in a fairly brief career, but unexposed over fences after making just one previous attempt over the larger obstacles (over C&D).

Form: 044/75-5

Forecasts

Ballyvic Boru (13/8), Little Stevie (3/1), Jassas (4/1), The Road Home (6/1), Petapenko (10/1)

Both Jassas and BALLYVIC BORU have undergone recent wind surgery, so could step forward on their earlier career form. The James Ewart trained runner will handle these conditions, but that is equally true of the Brian Ellison trained runner who has the all important fencing experience; running well enough behind the fairly useful Curious Carlos at Sedgefield earlier this month.