16:35 Perth

Thursday 27 September 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Timothy Hardie Jewellers Novices' Chase

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 5m 0.40s

Cubomania^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| CD

11/4

Wouldn't really have a chasing pedigree but made no mistake on debut here in August and won easily again at Kelso last time. More on at these weights but clearly going the right way and has a fitness advantage over a few.

Form: 152-161

Raise A Spark^h³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 135| BF| D

7/1

Useful hurdler has made an even better start over fences, twice a winner already and lost nothing in defeat at Cartmel last time, giving chunks of weight away. Handles both good and soft ground and a big chance again at these weights.

Form: F6-4112

El Terremoto³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137

7/2

Did well to win over a trip too short on chase debut at Southwell in July and possibly found the trip too far at Stratford last time, so this 2m4f could be ideal. Jumped superbly for much of the contest last time and might be hard to catch.

Form: 0/160-12

Behindthelines^t¹⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

20/1

Progressive over hurdles last year although did seem to need some cut, so some more rain wouldn't go amiss. Pedigree screams chaser, however, and has had a wind operation since last being seen. Dangerous to totally discount, despite lack of a run.

Form: P/23221-

Chasseur De Tete^t¹⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

66/1

Got the hang of things on his final two starts as a hurdler, just touched off at Ayr before successful at Newcastle, but that form will leave him short of what's required here and they came under slower conditions too. Needs to improve for fences.

Form: 553921-

Claud And Goldie⁶²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S E Forster

100/1

Point-to-point winner back in 2016 but only had two starts since then (both in points). Staying chases will be his game but one for handicaps further down the line.

Form: 172/

Cresswell Legend^t¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

5/4

Had probably had enough for the season when disappointing at Warwick on final start but was progressive before that and sister Cresswell Breeze is a good handicap chaser, so every chance he will improve for switch to fences. Not discounted.

Form: 71112P-

Non-Runners

Petiville⁴⁶⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: R Hobson J: Jamie Bargary

Forecasts

Cresswell Legend (5/4), Cubomania (11/4), El Terremoto (7/2), Raise A Spark (7/1), Petiville (8/1), Behindthelines (20/1), Chasseur De Tete (66/1), Claud And Goldie (100/1)

A cracking contest for the time of year. Nigel Twiston-Davies has won this five out of the last eight years and EL TERREMOTO might be able to add to that very good record. He jumped really well in the lead at Stratford until a late mistake cost him, and he was allowed to come home in his own time after the last. This trip should be ideal and he can make all. Raise A Spark won't be an easy nut to crack, and the presence of Cubomania and Behindthelines make this a fascinating race.