H. L. Barnes Novices' Chase

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 5m 39.20s

Fidux¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 142

11/4

Off to a fine start over fences when beating Nowhatiam at Hexham (that one having some very solid chase form) over 2m4f. Useful over hurdles (rated 142) given his performance last time he looks sure to match that level over fences; sets the standard.

Form: 1003-U1

Blazing Tom⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams

20/1

Five-time winner in points he's won two of his last three in that sphere and now makes his second start under Rules (well beaten in a 3m2f hunter chase on debut). Stiff task at these weights and unlikely to be getting amongst the principals.

Form: 82212-1

Kings Ryde^h1³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson

7/2

Not quite lived up to expectations over hurdles despite winning twice in that sphere; below form when last seen at Worcester last month (lost a shoe). Hooded for chasing debut from a powerful yard but work to do at the weights on hurdles ratings.

Form: 23/153-5

No Hassle Hoff^p1³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| BF| D

9/4

Reverted to fences last time having had a couple of runs over hurdles after a wind op. 0-5 over fences he perhaps showed why last time when idling/finding little in front at Hexham eventually run down by a strong finisher; cheekpieces applied.

Form: 2U92-52

Serosevsky^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry

11/4

Career record has some ups and downs and he comes here to make his chasing debut off the latter (pulled up at Haydock last time). Would have a chance judged on his prior piece of form (a Wincanton handicap win); has won a point so not out of this.

Form: 123P1-P

Sea Destination⁷⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis

125/1

Makes her Rules debut presented with a very stiff task having been off the track since winning a point-to-point in May 2017 by a short head. Very unlikely that a repletion of that form would be anywhere near good enough.

Form: P6PP1/

Forecasts

No Hassle Hoff (9/4), Fidux (11/4), Serosevsky (11/4), Kings Ryde (7/2), Blazing Tom (20/1), Sea Destination (125/1)

There was plenty to like and enjoy about the chasing debut from FIDUX where bar one mistake he jumped with fluency and élan despite having to give weight away all round he beat a useful type last time and is taken to follow up even with a penalty. No Hassle Hoff gave notice last time that he’s going to be hard to win with over fences and a greater danger may well come from the chasing debutants Kings Ryde and Serosevsky, the former of that duo may have more to offer over fences having looked to have the size and scope to make a chaser.