Linda Ford And Mary Mumford Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 4m 6.3s

Included^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A Ralph| OR: 119| D

7/4

Triple winner over hurdles has been placed on all three starts over fences. Has not quite seen out the trip since switching obstacles and the drop to 2m seems a wise move.

Form: 2-13233

Cesar Du Gouet^t⁶¹

5/1

Stands out from these on his wide margin Huntingdon success. However, he has undergone wind surgery since a poor effort at Perth and his yard (27 days without a winner) have had three odds-on failures this week.

Form: 342-215

Song Of The Sky^t⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 115

9/1

Winner of four races on the Flat in Ireland when conditions were soft/heavy. Showed some aptitude for chasing at Wexford in the spring and this course is similar. Makes debut for new yard and any rain would be an advantage.

Form: 9202-74

Precious Bounty^p⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 113

9/4

Took well to chasing at Ffos Las in May when cheekpieces had a positive effect. Suited to quick conditions and could take some catching if the aids continue to work.

Form: 2250-62

Lock's Corner^t1²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108

10/1

Winning point-to-pointer looks nicely weighted on the form of his hurdling debut, but less so on what he has shown lately. Probably one to keep an eye on for when the market suggests he's back to his best.

Form: 25-5584

Bagan³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R Gretton| OR: 103

12/1

Had looked one paced over hurdles and failed to get further than the fourth on his chasing bow on Monday. Appears to face a stiff task at the weights today.

Form: 3493-4U

Forecasts

Included (7/4), Precious Bounty (9/4), Cesar Du Gouet (5/1), Song Of The Sky (9/1), Lock's Corner (10/1), Bagan (12/1)

Cesar De Gouet would be hard to beat if reproducing the form of his Huntingdon victory, but a poor run since and some expensive failures for the yard this week raise doubts. Lock's Corner may do better now chasing and Song Of The Sky would make more appeal if conditions turned soft. Included is a consistent mare who has taken well to chasing, but PRECIOUS BOUNTY makes more appeal in the hope that the cheekpieces, that seemed to reform him last time, continue to have the desired effect. He looks well treated on the pick of his hurdling form and and his front-running tactics could expose flaws in his rivals.