EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 23.5s

Kalahari Queen^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 130

7/4

Progressive hurdler last season and appeared to show benefit of wind operation when scoring at Wetherby (2m5½f, good) last month. Jumped much better and can keep improving now.

Form: 12-2321

Kupatana²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| BF

2/1

Winner on chase debut at Kempton (2m2f, good) in November, before chasing home talented Knocknanuss (17L down) at Newbury. Has fallen/unseated in three of four starts since and that is the main concern, for all that she's respected.

Form: 12UF2F

My Old Gold³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 129| BF

2/1

Was back from an absence when winning 3m Wetherby novice in January on chasing bow, since finished a fair second here over similar trip (11-10f). Not discounted, dropped back in trip.

Form: 212-512

Tokaramore^h²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 109| C

25/1

Running well over hurdles this season (without winning) though worth noting her two sub-par runs came at this track. Has a bit to find on hurdles ability with these and this looks a tough starting point over fences.

Form: P-02421

Forecasts

Kalahari Queen (7/4), Kupatana (2/1), My Old Gold (2/1), Tokaramore (25/1)

KALAHARI QUEEN improved for her wind surgery as she scored last time Wetherby but, more pertinently, she jumped very nicely. That bodes well and there should be more to come from Aidan Coleman's mount. She earns the nod over Kupatana, who is talented, but comes here having failed to get around safely in three of four starts lately, including when having a similar event at her mercy on debut for Paul Nicholls at Ludlow. My Old Gold is next best, though she has to cope with a drop in trip.