Daniel Lambert Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 5.3s

Northern Beau^p,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: M Scudamore| OR: 102

7/4

Was flattered by the margin that she finished behind the winner here in a 0-130 last time, but this is easier. Another 2lb drop plus a first-time headgear combination should help and she can go very close.

Form: 233422

Lady Master¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 97| BF

13/8

Beaten favourite over C&D in a similar race last time, when slow pace probably didn't help. Can't be ruled after after that, and should again be a contender here.

Form: 4-01P42

Oscar World^p1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Aspell| T: M Keighley| OR: 95

11/4

Showed a bit of ability in a bumper and over hurdles, but was never travelling on her chase debut at Huntingdon last month. Cheekpieces go on, but she will need plenty of improvement on that effort to break her duck here.

Form: 256-667

Sprogzilla⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: H James| OR: 74

20/1

0-17 and was moderate over hurdles. 66-1 and unseated on her Hereford chase debut last month. Can only watch.

Form: 44637U

Forecasts

Lady Master (13/8), Northern Beau (7/4), Oscar World (11/4), Sprogzilla (20/1)

It will be a surprise if this is not contested between the top two on the racecard, and LADY MASTER gets the vote. Caroline Bailey's six-year-old was admittedly a beaten favourite here last time, but she is still finding a bit of improvement and could defy another 4lb rise. Northern Beau drops 2lb, and first-time headgear may help, but it won't be easy for her to concede the weight successfully. Oscar World looks next best.