Racingtv Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 14.1s

Charmant¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 139

1/1

3-4 over fences, and appears to go on any ground. Won an Ayr handicap last time from a mark of 133, and a 6lb rise for that sees him return to novice company with penalties. Looks the one to beat nonetheless.

Form: 24-1141

Sword Of Fate²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: L Kerr| OR: 132

18/1

3-5 over fences, but those three successes came on good/fast ground last summer. Decent effort last time over 2m1f at Kelso. Stays at least this far, but soft ground has to be a concern.

Form: 114963

Elixir Du Gouet¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130

5/1

Scored over both hurdles and fences in France on very soft. Pulled up on British/stable debut at Haydock in December. Never involved on recent comeback at Hereford. Dangerous to write off, but clearly a bit to prove.

Form: 1421P7

Luvly Boy Blue^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 92

250/1

Aside from a reasonably promising debut last April, he has shown little over hurdles. Can only watch on this chase debut.

Form: 3-980

Piton Pete²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 130

15/8

Dual hurdles winner on testing ground early last year. Has shown promise over fences despite being 0-3, and beaten just 3L at Huntingdon last time. Should have the measure of most of this field and a first chase success would not surprise.

Form: 120-5U3

Forecasts

Charmant (1/1), Piton Pete (15/8), Elixir Du Gouet (5/1), Sword Of Fate (18/1), Luvly Boy Blue (250/1)

Piton Pete has to be respected after his latest effort and in receipt of 10lb from CHARMANT, he should be capable of going very close. However, the selection has showed a fair degree of ability himself and this could be a shrewd move by his trainer to return him to novice company and pick up another win. Elixir Du Gouet showed ability in France, and is not written off, while conditions are a concern for Sword Of Fate.