Velindre Cancer Charity Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 4m 1.9s

Free Stone Hill^t³⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: J M Bradley| OR: 117| BF| D

16/1

Runner-up three times last summer over fences for Dan Skelton, showing consistent if frustrating form (well supported). Back from a layoff starting out for new trainer and must be considered.

Form: 303/222-

Topofthecotswolds⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 114

7/4

Second on last two starts over timber, starting to look a bit exposed and not really improving as yet. Could go well under positive tactics now diverting attention to fences for father/son team.

Form: 5/2262-2

Mon Eldorado⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 110

8/1

Placed just once over hurdles (five starts) and that in a maiden for previous handler Christian Williams. Hard to make solid case on return from short layoff now going over fences for the first time.

Form: 639F/89-

Grania O'Malley^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110| D

2/1

Dual hurdles scorer, ran best race (of three) over fences when second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft; 7-1) last time. Should get a tow into this race and goes on the shortlist.

Form: 329-462

Finley's Eyes^h²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 108

5/2

Returning from a break when beaten a neck over an extended 2m at Stratford (good) last October. Struggled on handicap debut the following month and interesting to see how he fares on chase debut following a break.

Form: 5/4228-

Forecasts

Topofthecotswolds (7/4), Grania O'Malley (2/1), Finley's Eyes (5/2), Mon Eldorado (8/1), Free Stone Hill (16/1)

Topofthecotswolds has looked decent if not exactly progressive over timber and appeared to benefit from positive tactics time at Fakenham. He's got claims on chase bow but he might well set this up for GRANIA O'MALLEY, twice a winner of timber and coming here off a good chase run at Uttoxeter where she cut out plenty of the running. She might get the job done if taking aim late on. Free Stone Hill and Finley's Eyes aren't crossed off with any haste.