John Wade Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 4m 14.30s

Aristo Du Plessis²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: J Ewart| OR: 135| D

9/4

Useful handicap hurdler who landed back-to-back races in that sphere last year before returning over hurdles in October but looked to need the race. Well beaten on his one previous try over fences (tough debut) and may do better this time.

Form: 84P/11-5

Cool Mix²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 128| C

1/1

Decisive winner of an Ayr handicap (well-backed) at the Scottish Grand National meeting following up an easy odds-on win here in January. Easy to back on his chasing debut at Wetherby he should have gained from that experience; better to come.

Form: 22151-2

Horst⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 136| D

11/1

German Flat winner (1m) who then won four races over obstacles in France (2 chases; 2 hurdles). Claimed for €15,606 after winning a race of that ilk at Cholet in September (2m1f, good) and now makes his GB debut; market may be the best guide.

Form: F2-1131

Tayzar⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 115

4/1

Better form over hurdles than in bumpers he's looked rather luckless in his two chase starts so far. Shaped much better than his finishing position on his chasing debut (bad mistake 2 out) and badly hampered last time; has potential still.

Form: 242-37P

Forecasts

Cool Mix (1/1), Aristo Du Plessis (9/4), Tayzar (4/1), Horst (11/1)

Despite the small field this is still an interesting contest which will prove difficult to sort out. Aristo Du Plessis is likely to take them along and this will be a lot easier than his only other previous try over fences that came in a Cheltenham Grade 2. COOL MIX was given a fairly considerate introduction to fences behind an long-odds on shot at Wetherby over slightly further and a repetition of his smart hurdling form would see him go close here. Newcomer Horst is probably best judged on how the market views him although he won’t lack chasing experience and Tayzar deserves a clear shot over fences having proved rather luckless in this sphere so far.