Universal Banners 20th Anniversary Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 14.3s

Full^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

6/1

His French form outranks his achievements in this country although his best effort came with give underfoot over these fences.

Form: 62227-3

Dinsdale^p,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 112| D

5/1

Winner over hurdles at Ffos Las in July when making all and battling on gamely. Makes his chase debut over easy fences and should give a good account in this company.

Form: 420-051

Robin Des People⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: D Brace| OR: 111| D

3/1

Winner of five point-to-points this year and a Stratford hunter chase (2m1f). Showed a really good attitude to reel in the clear leader that day and, although the form is not strong, he commands respect against this opposition.

Form: 13-1111

Dark Invader^p²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 108| BF| CD

11/4

Prone to errors but jumps these easy fences adequately enough. Has won here and at Ffos Las this summer and the form of the latter has worked out exceptionally well.

Form: 62115F

Comber Mill^h,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 106| D

3/1

Winner of three handicap hurdle races during the winter who will be all the better for his fencing bow two weeks ago. Forecast of softer ground another plus.

Form: 81119-2

Forecasts

Dark Invader (11/4), Robin Des People (3/1), Comber Mill (3/1), Dinsdale (5/1), Full (6/1)

A case can be made for all in this and a lot hinges on the state of the ground. Comber Mill and Full need some cut in the ground but the prospect of dry weather may see conditions prove less testing than forecast. Dinsdale is not ground dependant but needs to lead and Comber Mill may wreck those plans. Dark Invader comes from a stable whose horses have underperformed lately and the vote goes to ROBIN DES PEOPLE who has had a good year in point-to-points/hunter chases and who will appreciate the good gallop that seems likely.