14:05 Catterick

Friday 28 December 2018

All12:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:15

racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 52.50s

Ballasalla^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105

5/2

Goes best at an undulating course, such as he'll tackle here, and isn't expected to have too many issues with the predicted state of the ground. Not beaten far by a rival rated far superior to this lot in his latest start. Shortlisted.

Form: 9607-42

Trooblue¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 92

9/2

Has ability over fences, albeit at a modest level. Already has a bit to find with Ballasalla, though. Stiff test ahead in her attempt at reversing the recent Carlisle form.

Form: 4-9B433

Domestic Diva^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 91

17/2

Poor completion rate in point-to-points and her hurdles form has been moderate at best. A lot to prove on chasing debut and probably safe to let her do her own thing on this occasion.

Form: 85P/684

Highland Peak¹³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 89

14/1

Drops in trip and hasn't really set the world alight over hurdles, so lots to prove now he goes chasing. Hard to recommend at present.

Form: 66-8B78

Reverse The Charge^p⁶⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 87| D

7/2

Won his last two starts in good style but the fact he's only gone up 8lb in the ratings does suggest the worth of the form may be open to scrutiny. Never won from a mark this high before, so needs a lot to go his way. to land the hat-trick.

Form: 633411

Geni Johnson^p²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 84

20/1

Reasonable effort in a selling hurdle last time but plenty to prove now the mare switches to fences. Risks attached.

Form: 0U93-72

Lucarno Dancer^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 83| D

9/2

Been in fair form in modest company over hurdles and may progress further now she switches to fences for her new yard. Place claims if the mare can up her game.

Form: 715-F92

Two Hoots^p⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 77

14/1

2lb wrong at the weights and work to do just to turnaround recent form with Reverse The Charge. Stiff test ahead on these terms.

Form: 342455

Forecasts

Ballasalla (5/2), Reverse The Charge (7/2), Lucarno Dancer (9/2), Trooblue (9/2), Domestic Diva (17/2), Highland Peak (14/1), Two Hoots (14/1), Geni Johnson (20/1)

BALLASALLA ran well in defeat last time out and would be hard to beat of he can raise the bar a little this time around. Reverse The Charge is on the crest of a wave and make this tough for the selection, as can Lucarno Dancer if she takes the switch to fences in her stride.