Best Jumps Races On Racing UK Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 43.40s

Monsieur Arkadin^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 104

9/4

Yet to match his hurdles form over fences although he looked to be getting the hang of things last time (possibly needed the run). Now drops another 4lb to a career-low mark (104) having started life off 117 in this sphere.

Form: 1F058-3

Simone⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 104

9/4

Given her pedigree (sister to winning chaser Drumcliff and half-sister high-class hurdler/chaser Simonsig) she ought to do a lot better over fences than hurdles. Progress appeared to stagnate in that discipline but more expected now going chasing.

Form: 132P-B3

Troubled Soul²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 101

5/2

Yet to win over fences (0-5) but has the edge in experience here and ran well returning to chasing last time (took advantage of a much lower mark than when last chasing). Dropped 1lb and likely to appreciate this drop in trip; respected.

Form: P3/7734

Cool Valley²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 99

14/1

Has won twice in point-to-points but his chase form under Rules can only be described as modest and he's yet to win in nine starts. Inconsistent in the main though and despite a falling mark this trip looks a little too far.

Form: 466244

Left Back^h,t¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 95

25/1

Point-to-point winner in February (soft ground) having previously shown very little in novice hurdles under Rules. Non-runner the last twice on good ground; this surface may prove a little quick as he switches to fences under Rules (handicap debut).

Form: P73123-

Avondhu Pearl¹⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 82

12/1

Jumping has so far let her down under Rules even returned to hurdles last time when pulled up at Perth in the spring. Now makes her return to action over fences with something to prove even off this lowly mark.

Form: 9833-6P

Knocklayde^p1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 69

40/1

9lb out of the handicap and hard to construct a case for having made very little impact over hurdles and finished well beaten last time on chase debut over C&D. Now tried in cheekpieces for the first time but hard to see those making much impact.

Form: PP6-085

Forecasts

Monsieur Arkadin (9/4), Simone (9/4), Troubled Soul (5/2), Avondhu Pearl (12/1), Cool Valley (14/1), Left Back (25/1), Knocklayde (40/1)

Hardly a race with much depth to it and several of these come into this with questions to answer about the ground and their jumping prowess. TROUBLED SOUL has less negatives against her and this trip will suit her better than the near 3m trip she was tried over last time at Chepstow. Simone is the one with potential being related to a couple of smart chasers and this sphere will show her in a better light but she does lack the experience of the selection. Monsieur Arkadin is being given a chance by the handicapper now and should be competitive off this mark and is given a chance based on his Stratford run.