50 Risk Free On Racing With Smarkets Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 3m 58.3s

Huntsman Son²⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 135

5/1

Sound effort when fourth in the Imperial Cup at Sandown when last seen out and dangerous to dismiss despite his absence since March. Good chance on these terms. But does need to prove he can jump a fence.

Form: 211424-

Kalashnikov²⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| D

1/4

Winner of a Grade 3 at Newbury before a sterling effort to finish second in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Chasing debutante but will be hard to overhaul if he copes. The one to beat here.

Form: 1/11212-

Lisdoonvarna Lad²⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132| D

12/1

Limitations exposed when third of six in a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock last season; didn't fare so well in his only subsequent start though; has a bit to prove on his chasing debut.

Form: 28135-

Scorpion Sid¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| D

16/1

Won a couple of novice hurdles before being put in this place by a strong favourite in a three-runner Listed race at Perth in April. Will benefit form the experience but needs to considerably up his game or rely upon the principles under performing.

Form: 2/112-

Forecasts

Kalashnikov (1/4), Huntsman Son (5/1), Lisdoonvarna Lad (12/1), Scorpion Sid (16/1)

This looks like a reasonable opening for KALASHNIKOV to open his account over fences. Huntsman Son could pose a few problems along the way and makes more appeal than both Scorpion Sid and Lisdoonvarna Lad on this occasion.