13:40 Wetherby

Saturday 8 December 2018

All12:0512:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:25

Jigsaw Sports Branding Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 29.80s

Crest^p,t¹⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120

33/1

Made all to win by 9L at Kelso (2m7½f, good) last time, for which he is up 12lb. Will need improvement to follow-up, especially with doubts about him on soft ground.

Form: 756-421

Blottos¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 120

8/1

Triple hurdle winner at up to 2m3½f on soft/heavy last season. On a handy mark based on that form. Ran well when upped to this trip over fences at Hexham last time. Open to improvement. Contender.

Form: 11PP-03

Fawsley Spirit^b¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R D Day| T: B Pauling| OR: 120

12/1

Showed some promise in a couple of hurdles. 14-1 and unseated to early to say how he might have fared on chase debut at Ffos Las. Same mark here and not ruled out.

Form: 337-U

Little Bruce^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 120| BF| C| D

7/1

Won at Hexham (3m, good) on penultimate start and was sent off favourite over further, but tipped up early at Haydock last time. Now 13lb higher than his win. Handles cut and goes well here, so can't rule him out.

Form: 081-41F

Mon Palois³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 120| C| D

10/3

Won a soft ground bumper here last year, and has since scored twice over hurdles on a sound/fast surface. Made very promising chase debut at Market Rasen last month. Should be better for that and could take some beating.

Form: 4450-53

Bako De La Saulaie³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 120| CD

9/2

Won here over this trip as a hurdler two years ago. Placed in 4-6 chases so far, and was beaten by an improver last time at Carlisle. Not fully exposed and should again be very competitive.

Form: 4224-32

Skipthescales^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 116| CD

11/2

Another course winner here over hurdles. Looks weighted up to the hilt for this chase debut, but if he can bounce back from his hurdles reappearance at Aintree, he can't be ruled out of the frame.

Form: 31413-0

Frankly Speaking³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 114

10/1

Nine-race maiden who went close twice over hurdles from lower marks in the spring. Handles cut, but was well held from just 1lb higher on his return to action last month. More needed on his chase debut.

Form: 83422-7

Nobuttaboy^p²³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T J FitzGerald| OR: 113| D

50/1

Was a promising novice hurdler two seasons ago when with Ben Pauling, but the wheels fell off over fences last season. Changed hands for £3,500 in May and can only watch on debut for this trainer.

Form: 6P/4PPP-

Lough Salt²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: R C Guest| OR: 111| CD

9/1

Dual 3m hurdle winner at this track and ran a cracker again here last time over fences, when a mistake four out cost him. Stayed on to be beaten just 2L there, which was commendable, but still needs more from 1lb higher in a tougher race.

Form: 726444

Garde Forestier^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 106

66/1

Back on the same mark as his only win, but badly out of sorts on his last four starts, two for this trainer and this is a tough race in which to try conjur a revival.

Form: 13P-P8C

Bafana Blue^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 104| D

20/1

Dual Hexham winner on good ground. Ran well here last time when beaten just 1¼L over C&D. Handles soft, but up 2lb so more needed.

Form: 164152

Forecasts

Mon Palois (10/3), Bako De La Saulaie (9/2), Skipthescales (11/2), Little Bruce (7/1), Blottos (8/1), Lough Salt (9/1), Frankly Speaking (10/1), Fawsley Spirit (12/1), Bafana Blue (20/1), Crest (33/1), Nobuttaboy (50/1), Garde Forestier (66/1)

Kim Bailey could be among the winners again here with MON PALOIS, who has course-winning form and can confirm the promise he showed on his recent chase debut. Blottos loves to get his toe in and he could be a serious threat, for a trainer who has regularly top the trainers' list at this track over the years. Little Bruce has to overcome his spill last time, but if he can he is not ruled out, along with Bako De La Saulale. Lough Salt and Fawsley Spirit are others with a squeak in a competitive contest.