Racing Partnership Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 32.20s

Pingshou²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

8/13

Grade One winning novice hurdler set some stiff tasks last season over fences but took advantage of an easier race latest when comfortably winning a 3m Ffos Las contest. Won Grade One over 2m so this trip every bit as suitable; leading claims.

Form: 3/4550-1

Midnight Maestro¹⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 130| D

9/2

Useful three-time winning hurdler but didn't look a natural over fences when a remote 11th of 16 at Uttoxeter in December and fell at the first next at Wincanton. Plenty to prove at this stage as a chaser.

Form: 052/10F-

Sleep Easy^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127| D

9/1

Previous hurdles and Flat scorer gained first chase success latest when odds-on for a three-runner Kelso novices handicap. Doubt that form is of much note but earlier level good enough to think he has a shout off this weight.

Form: 80833-1

Kentford Heiress²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 126| C

9/2

Won a £31k series final over hurdles in April and carried that form forward to chasing latest when winning a mares only novice at Warwick (2m4f). Handicap-wise she's unproven at this sort of mark but current form means she merits serious respect.

Form: 39071-1

Forecasts

Pingshou (8/13), Kentford Heiress (9/2), Midnight Maestro (9/2), Sleep Easy (9/1)

Things didn't really go to plan for PINGSHOU last season in a quiet campaign but he showed he could yet prove a pretty smart chaser when winning easily at Ffos Las latest and he is worth siding with here to follow up. Thoroughly likable mare Kentford Heiress has been in fine form of late over hurdles and fences and she looks easily the biggest threat. Sleep Easy got off the mark himself over fences latest but what he beat in that three-runner contest is debatable.