Toalsbet Casino Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 5.62s

Hatcher^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

10/11

Winner of five of his last six, comfortable winner at Leicester last time out jumping well in the main and coming clear in the straight. Looks to be more straightforward than main rival on paper and looks the one to beat, with conditions ideal.

Form: 111191

Style De Garde^h²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| D

6/5

Has a refusal at Hereford on his card, and has looked a hard ride at times, but is capable of decent form and midfield finish in the Martin Pipe wasn't a bad effort. Back over fences here but needs to be on best behaviour if he's to defeat Hatcher.

Form: P-1R220

Charming Zen^p1,t1⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 128WS

9/1

Good run at Newbury in January sandwiched between two lesser efforts, and he went out like a light at Ludlow last time. Wind operation since, tongue tie and cheekpieces go on, and has a bit to find overall anyway.

Form: 1/7F-324

Sussex Road^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 44

150/1

Rated just 44, but a regular in these events and often makes his own way around to pick up the place money. Same scenario likely again here, and has no realistic chance of winning.

Form: 233225

Forecasts

Hatcher (10/11), Style De Garde (6/5), Charming Zen (9/1), Sussex Road (150/1)

HATCHER looks to have the most straightforward profile and has developed a nice habit of winning races, He looks the likeliest winner, although an in-form and on best behaviour Style De Garde would give him something to think about. That's far from a given though, and Hatcher is worth sticking with. Charming Zen also has plenty to prove after a couple of disappointments. Sussex Road needs snookers, and plenty of them.