Parkdean Resorts Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 4m 59.6s

Included^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A Ralph| OR: 118

9/4

Useful sort over hurdles who has clearly transferred that ability to fences when second on his debut over slightly shorter her last month. That was a considerate introduction (form yet to be tested); type to improve from the initial experience.

Form: 412-132

Three Colours Red^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117

7/1

Successful in three of his last four hurdles starts for two different yards (all wins with cheekpieces on). Headgear left off for his chasing debut (showed aptitude despite being Flat bred); cheekpieces now return for his second chasing attempt.

Form: 311-414

Pink Eyed Pedro^t⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: D Brace| OR: 115

7/4

Won half his point-to-point starts and a novice hunter chase; matched his chasing form when winning over hurdles (small-field novice) recently at Worcester. Yard are in rude health (won with three of last four runners); back chasing, should go well.

Form: 611-341

Flying Verse^t,v³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: David Dennis| OR: 112| BF

8/1

Took the gold medal three times over hurdles last year with all his wins coming at around 3m. Has run well this spring (back from a break) looking unfortunate not to win at least once; travels well, now tries fences for the first time, trip suitable.

Form: 1452-25

Gwalia¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 112

20/1

Fair handicap hurdler despite not having the best win-to-run ratio although he failed to impress on his latest start. Latest start after looking to need the run the time before here was well below-par; now goes chasing for the first time.

Form: 124-65P

Bletchley Castle^t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 107| D

4/1

Change of yard saw his form take an upswing (also given a chance by the handicapper) as he reverted to handicap company last time. Went with real zest to win over 3m at Southwell; this is harder, has struggled with consistency in the past.

Form: P11-371

Forecasts

Pink Eyed Pedro (7/4), Included (9/4), Bletchley Castle (4/1), Three Colours Red (7/1), Flying Verse (8/1), Gwalia (20/1)

Most of these arrive here in good order and it looks a decent contest for the grade/time of year. Included was hardly knocked about on her chasing debut and given her hurdles form she ought to be able to win in this sphere although that success may come against her own sex. Three Colours Red and Pink Eyed Pedro are two others that have been in good form of late and it may be significant that the former dons the cheekpieces once more having had them left off for his chasing debut. FLYING VERSE is one of two fencing newcomers in this but over this trip and off this mark he has a fair chance of making a winning debut having looked on good terms with himself of late.