2019 Annual Membership Now Available Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 6m 5.5s

Monsieur Arkadin^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 102| BF

14/1

Slowly getting the hang of things over fences; generally races up with the pace (asset at this track) and although he has stamina to conclusively prove, holds a fair chance based on his 8L third to Troubled Soul (2m5f+, Kelso).

Form: F058-33

Baron Du Plessis³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101| BF

11/4

Has shown plenty of placed form over fences (consistent) but remains a 17-race rules maiden; sent off favourite in each of his last three starts, including when finishing 15+L third at Kempton (3m, good) latest.

Form: 52337-3

Hugos Horse^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 100| D

6/1

Possibly one of the lesser lights at Ditcheat despite costing €70,000 as a 3yo; that said, a step up in trip and a switch to chasing could hold the key (1-5 in PTP's), so well worth keeping an open mind at this stage.

Form: 3F2-143

Sutter's Mill^p³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 94| D

9/1

Not as strong over fences (94-rated) as over hurdles (105-rated); placed on soft ground at Ffos Las on Friday (3m) but twice disappointing previously at this much sharper track (over hurdles and fences).

Form: PP-3463

The Ogle Gogle Man^p,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: C J Mann| OR: 94| BF| D

13/8

Remains a maiden under rules (0-9) and was comprehensively put in his place by the subsequent Newcastle scorer Kovera at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) earlier this month; others hold far more compelling claims.

Form: 3336-32

Balkinstown^t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr C Dowson⁽⁷⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 92| D

4/1

Yet to tackle the larger obstacles under rules (1-8 in PTP's), but was a ready winner over hurdles at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last week; holds every chance if in the same fettle, but that's not totally guaranteed.

Form: 238441

Midnight Owle^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 66

50/1

15-race rules maiden (0-3 over fences) who competes from outside of the weights; highly unlikely.

Form: 497-P23

Forecasts

The Ogle Gogle Man (13/8), Baron Du Plessis (11/4), Balkinstown (4/1), Hugos Horse (6/1), Sutter's Mill (9/1), Monsieur Arkadin (14/1), Midnight Owle (50/1)

The most likely winner is the handily-weighted Balkinstown. He won very well over hurdles at Plumpton last week and has some experience of the larger obstacles from his pointing days. It's probable that he's belatedly on an upward curve, but equally one could potentially question his reliability based upon his overall career form, so he's opposed at the projected odds with MONSIEUR ARKADIN who will almost certainly be out forcing the pace from an early stage.