14:35 Stratford

Thursday 2 August 2018

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Watch More With Racing UK Extra Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 33.10s

Birch Hill^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 122| C

4/1

Course winner last time out (2m6f, good to firm) and going the right way over fences. Rated to the best of his ability over hurdles, so noteworthy to see how he fares here. Stiff test giving weight away.

Form: 1U60-21

Comanche Chieftain¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: N B King| OR: 120| C

4/1

Dual course winner over an extended 2m and comes into this in good heart. Possible there's more to come from him over fences but the trip is a step into the unknown; the betting can guide here. (Winner on this card last year.)

Form: 50-2462

No Hiding Place⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 120

5/1

Showed grit to win at Towcester on his penultimate start but struggled under 3lb higher last time. Races from the same mark today, so has a bit to prove over a trip which may well extend him fully.

Form: 8225-14

Braavos^p⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120| D

5/1

Holds some fair form over timber but yet to really live up to the same billing over fences. Cheekpieces failed to work the oracle last time but notable they are utilised once more this afternoon. Another with something to prove.

Form: 1P75-35

Trafalgar Rock^b1¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 117

7/1

Claimed for £6,000 after a seller at Uttoxeter in June. Two starts since have been modest performances and the gelding needs to brush up on his jumping. Others preferred.

Form: PPP-243

Morianour¹¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

9/1

Lightly campaigned individual but only made steady progress since winning over hurdles last July. Interesting if supported but also likely to benefit greatly from this chasing debut.

Form: 12/6254-

The Flame²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

17/2

Winner of a point-to-point and once over hurdles but form hasn't amounted to much and this fellow may be best watched as he makes his debut over regulation fences.

Form: 68-1P68

Bendomingo²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 106

16/1

A sound effort in defeat when last seen out and sound claims if able to build on that performance. This is his first start back after wind surgery, so a careful monitoring of the betting market is advised.

Form: 62P6-82

Forecasts

Comanche Chieftain (4/1), Birch Hill (4/1), Braavos (5/1), No Hiding Place (5/1), Trafalgar Rock (7/1), The Flame (17/2), Morianour (9/1), Bendomingo (16/1)

BENDOMINGO makes his first start after a second wind operation but posted a highly encouraging effort when last seen and is given the benefit of the doubt. The gelding can make the running, which would ensure this is a good test for the rest. Morianour and The Flame are others to note in the betting, as they make their respective chasing debuts at a very winnable level. Comanche Chieftain is another to bear in mind.