188Bet Casino Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:10 | Winning time: 6m 18.1s

Knockrobin^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130

13/2

Probable that he'll have more too offer over fences having simply found the opposition a fraction stronger at Carlisle and Haydock; trip and ground conditions should be okay, but ideally needs some form of assistance from the handicapper.

Form: 312P-33

Western Rules^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 125| BF| C

7/2

A useful type over hurdles (and in bumpers) for in-form Greystoke handler Nicky Richards; is effectively starting off again over fences having been hampered and unseating his rider at the first at Carlisle (2m4f, good) last month; 112 at Newcastle.

Form: 421P-U2

Skipthescales^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 122| C

2/1

Stablemate of Little Bruce; a solid handicap hurdler over staying trips (3m), and a game winner on his chasing debut at Wetherby (3m, soft) a fortnight ago; capable of following up off a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 1413-01

Little Bruce^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 120

9/1

Stablemate of Skipthescales; has posted a couple of non-completions since making all to score by almost 4L at Hexham in November (3m, good); 13lb above his last winning mark and work to do with his stablemate based upon Wetherby form.

Form: 81-41FP

Crest^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 117| D

33/1

Had appeared to be a much improved horse for wind surgery, prior to a most disappointing seasonal reappearance behind Skipthescales at Wetherby (pulled up); eased a fraction in the weights for a trainer back among the winners at Hexham on Thursday.

Form: 56-421P

Absolutely Dylan¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 112| C| D

9/4

Bred for chasing (a Newcastle winner over hurdles); an ultra-determined scorer at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) 17 days ago, earning a 3lb rise for that success; still very early days in the Hemmings silks; massively respected.

Form: 178-131

Forecasts

Skipthescales (2/1), Absolutely Dylan (9/4), Western Rules (7/2), Knockrobin (13/2), Little Bruce (9/1), Crest (33/1)

A decent contest in which the majority of the runners have potential for further improvement over fences. Absolutely Dylan is a robust chasing type, so it's no major surprise that he caught the attention of leading owner Trevor Hemmings after scoring at Sedgefield in October and he should fare well if over the exertions of a tough race at Haydock. However, preference is for the Phil Kirby (doubly-represented) trained SKIPTHESCALES. This reliable staying handicap hurdler had a couple of today's opponents in-behind when making a winning chasing debut at Wetherby (3m, soft) a fortnight ago.