BH & HPA Heart Of England Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 5m 19.70s

Birch Hill^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 118| BF

4/1

Pleasing chasing debut under rules at Cartmel (2m5f) almost 5 weeks ago when making the running and only being picked off by a comfortable winner late on. Dropped 4lbs on the back of that and likely to make a bold bid once more.

Form: P1U60-2

Allez Jacques³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 115

5/1

Didn't look particularly well handicapped over hurdles so interesting that he is very quickly switched to fences. Needs to do better but has time on his side and it would be no surprise were he to turn out to be more suited to these larger obstacles

Form: 52373-4

Burrows Lane^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113

9/2

Hold-up performer who goes well under these conditions. Step up in trip here may well suit and has been dropped 2lbs for finishing fourth of 12 at Worcester last time. On a good mark now and sure to be involved.

Form: 3253-F4

Boss Mans Ladder^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: B Pauling| OR: 109| C

10/3

Fairly consistent hurdler who won here off a mark of 105 back in April. Found life a little tougher under a penalty but makes chasing debut today and return to this venue could also be a positive. Should go well.

Form: 081-434

Born For War²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 107

2/1

Lightly raced six-year-old who made a very pleasing handicap debut over hurdles when just failing at Southwell three weeks ago. Wasting no time in going straight over fences and this longer trip should suit. Big player if taking to fences.

Form: 33/658-2

Non-Runners

Soupy Soups⁵⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: R T Dunne

Cafe Au Lait²¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Finula¹⁸⁹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: B G Powell J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Born For War (2/1), Cafe Au Lait (3/1), Boss Mans Ladder (10/3), Birch Hill (4/1), Burrows Lane (9/2), Allez Jacques (5/1), Soupy Soups (8/1), Finula (14/1)

Cafe Au Lait made a very good start over fences at Bangor and is respected despite the 10lb rise. Boss Mans Ladder is a consistent hurdler who could well improve for going over fences and shouldn't be discounted. Slight preference is for chasing debutante BORN FOR WAR who went very close on handicap debut over hurdles last time and looks like a chaser in the making with this longer trip set to suit.