Core Spreads Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 4m 15.16s

Templier^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 102| C

11/4

Yet to totally convince that chasing is his game though relatively lightly raced in this sphere and the drying ground is in his favour.

Form: 023F-45

Dreyfus⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: P R Webber| OR: 102WS

8/1

Hasn't progressed from promising hurdling debut but now switched to fences and handicapping and could leave that form behind. Worth monitoring in market. Wind operation since last seen.

Form: 5/586

Babytaggle^h¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: L Treadwell| T: D L Williams| OR: 86

11/2

Didn't run too badly from out of the weights in better race at Ffos Las recently and this more realistic but suspicion that softer ground suits.

Form: 4UP365

Sadma¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Pte Alexandra Bell⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lampard| OR: 83

5/1

Front runner who may have gone off too fast over hurdles at Taunton last time. Hasn't achieved much in five tries over fences however, under today's regular rider.

Form: PU7844

Istimraar^p,t⁶⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 69

6/4

Didn't show much over fences in distant past and in poor form when last seen hurdling in 2017 including in a seller. However, now joined top yard and fascinating contender off bottom weight especially as he has multiple entries later in the week.

Form: 0/07509-

Forecasts

Istimraar (6/4), Templier (11/4), Sadma (5/1), Babytaggle (11/2), Dreyfus (8/1)

This could be all about ISTIMRAAR on first run for Dan Skelton and no surprise should he leave his form when last seen well behind him. Dreyfus is certainly capable of better than shown and can follow the selection home with Templier taken for minor honours.