Brian Overson Stephen Allday Perpetual Plate Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 17.30s

Djin Conti²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 119| BF| D

4/1

Ex-French gelding who bettered his hurdles form when scoring over fences at Southwell on his penultimate start (weak in the market off an easing mark). Touched off by a stronger stayer under a penalty last time (3m2f); bare 3m will suit better.

Form: 326412

Just Minded^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 117| BF

14/1

Yet to totally convince as a chaser for either of the yards that he's been with and had a wind op whilst with his current trainer. Last of four when last seen failing to make much of an impression; mark unchanged.

Form: 342-424

Board Of Trade^v1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 114

5/1

Yet to live up to his hurdles form in two starts over fences so far with room for improvement in his jumping. He's in good hands and it's still early days; visor goes on for the first-time and he's in good hands so not written off as yet.

Form: F6/30-54

Cuddles Mcgraw^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113| C

4/1

Lightly-raced over hurdles (never ran in a handicap in that sphere) he was quickly switched to fences winning on his second outing in that discipline over 2m4f here. Shaped like he could be competitive off this mark; trip remains a slight doubt.

Form: 0-43212

Tikk Tock Boom^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 110| D

10/3

Successful in Irish point-to-points she looked well suited by the increase in trip (3m2f) when winning over hurdles at Hereford last time (wore first-time cheekpieces). Now makes her first start over fences; worthy of a second glance.

Form: 8-52631

Queens Present¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: D W P Arbuthnot| OR: 108| D

13/2

Point-to-point winner who despite his exploits in that field and over fences lacks the stature for fences under Rules. Pulled up on his chasing debut at Newbury and faces a similarly tough task in this.

Form: 33432/P

Minerfortyniner^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: G R I Smyly| OR: 108| D

8/1

Multiple point-to-point winner (6-13) who shaped better than the bare result when third at Hereford last time mixing it with the first two who are both decent types. Now handicapping off a lowly mark; makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 4-62043

Forecasts

Tikk Tock Boom (10/3), Djin Conti (4/1), Cuddles Mcgraw (4/1), Board Of Trade (5/1), Queens Present (13/2), Minerfortyniner (8/1), Just Minded (14/1)

An interesting heat in which Djin Conti will appreciate this 3m a little better having had his stamina pushed to the limit last time and there must be a doubt about Cuddles McGraw stepping up to this distance also. Tick Tock Boom appears to have benefitted from the application of cheekpieces and this point-to-point winner won’t be troubled by this switch to fences and will relish every yard of this trip. Board Of Trade needs to improve but can’t be left out of this given his good hurdles form but the most interesting contender is MINERFORTYNINER. Despite what amounted to a wide margin defeat last time he showed enough to suggest that handicaps would show him in a better light.