Charles Stanley Financial Planning Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 5m 1.70s

Monty's Award^h¹²⁰

15/8

Was fancied in the market (9/4) on chasing debut at Kempton (2m4f; good) in May, but never got going and was pulled-up before the second-last. Worth another chance, considering the fair level of ability he showed over hurdles.

Form: P/2164-P

Carolines Charm¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117

16/1

Made the perfect transition to chasing last month when overturning the long odds-on favourite Ennistown (2/11f) at Southwell (2m5f; good to firm). That was a marked step up on his previous efforts over hurdles. Major contender.

Form: 9P-4P01

Regulation⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 117| D

8/1

Has had more tries over fences than most in this field, winning two of his six starts. Suffered heavy defeats the last twice, despite finishing third and will likely need to find some improvement from somewhere if wanting to be considered a danger.

Form: 113233

Peggies Venture⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 116| CD

9/1

Rated 116 as a hurdler and has won over this C&D before over the smaller obstacles. Must bounce back from mystifying effort last time out though when she was tailed off. Been given a break since then, and should be bang there if back to form.

Form: 4261-56

Mr Mcguiness²⁹³

13/2

Makes seasonal return from 293-day absence. Efforts the last twice (both over fences), have been uninspiring. However, this is a fair bit easier compared to those assignments so it would be foolish to dismiss him.

Form: 5246U7-

Malangen^b,t³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| DWS

9/2

Has been fancied the last twice, and broke chasing duck at the fourth attempt when dead-heating at Bangor (2m1f; good) last time out. Up 4lb for that victory which seems lenient considering he drew nine-length clear of the third.

Form: 536221

Trumps Benefit^h1,t1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 93

5/1

Well-beaten into second by easy winner at Cartmel (2m5f; good to soft) last month. However, that was a big step up from his disappointing chase debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f; good) when he was pulled-up. Bit more needed in this better race.

Form: 38-43P2

Leaving Home^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 79

40/1

Winner of a weak bumper back in July 2018. Done nothing over hurdles since then, including in handicaps the last twice. Decent chunk of improvement required for the switch to the larger obstacles. Watching brief advised.

Form: 8P-P9P0

Forecasts

Monty's Award (15/8), Malangen (9/2), Trumps Benefit (5/1), Mr Mcguiness (13/2), Regulation (8/1), Peggies Venture (9/1), Carolines Charm (16/1), Leaving Home (40/1)

A novices' handicap chase full of intrigue to kick things off, with Monty's Award an interesting contender. He was pulled-up on chase debut back in May, but has been given a break since then and cannot be ruled out considering he was a decent hurdler (rated 120). Peggie's Venture is another one who produced a well below-par effort when last seen, but this C&D winner was a decent hurdler, and could bounce back on her chasing debut. Preference is to stick with the in-form horse though, that is CAROLINES CHARM who took a sizeable step forward to make a surprising winning chase debut to get the better of Ennistown recently, and is open to any level of progress down in trip.