13:45 Huntingdon

Sunday 3 November 2019

All12:0512:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Fairfax Saddles Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 0.6s

Deyrann de Carjac¹⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 137

16/1

Fair novice hurdler last term but promises to do better at ths game and made a winning starts when scoring at Cartmel in May with something to spare. Interesting to see how he fares in better race on first start back.

Form: 2F225-1

Erick Le Rouge²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 137| D

4/1

Nice prospect who rattled off four-timer over hurdles last term and improved 25lb prior to disappointing at Cheltenham Festival. Made good start over fences when stayed on dourly to score at Uttoxeter recently and should go very well again.

Form: 1111P-1

Whatmore¹⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 141| D

9/2

Decent hurdler who won off 135 in Bangor h'cap last term and was runner-up at Perth off 5lb higher. Left clear 4 out when easily landing three-runner novice chase on fencing bow at Market Rasen in May and this is much tougher.

Form: 31772-1

Boldmere²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 127

50/1

Ran on well to win Market Rasen novice hurdle last term and ran creditably both subsequent starts when trained by Graeme McPherson. First start for new yard and looks type to jump a fence but this is a fairly hot race.

Form: 5/96192-

Cotswold Way²⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| CD

8/1

Won 4-6 over hurdles last season developing into decent performer. Hails from good jumping family so no reason why he shouldn't win races over larger obstacles and represents top yard.

Form: 111814-

El Presente⁵⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 124| CD

25/1

Won maiden hurdle here on jumping bow in October 2017 but has only run four times since and may have had issues. Shaped with promise on those other starts without winning and doesn't have many miles on the clock.

Form: 31335/4-

Eskendash²³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 127

40/1

Yard among winners of late. Won two on the Flat and once over hurdles and now steps up to chasing. Never finished out of a place on seasonal return so lack of previous run not a concern, but faces a tough task.

Form: 1F3325-

Pym²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137

11/4

Won novice hurdles at Chepstow and Kempton last season before respectable 11th of 24 in hot Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle. Top yard going well at present and has prospects as a chaser. Sure to command market support on chasing bow.

Form: 9/12210-

Third Wind²³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: H Morrison| OR: 137| D

7/2

Very progressive over hurdles last term winning 3-4, ending with brave victory in Grade 3 novices handicap hurdle at Sandown in March. Straight on to fences now and fascinating to see how he fares.

Form: 30/1211-

Zubayr^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: Ian Williams| OR: 133| D

25/1

Stayed on well to win Southwell 2m4f h'cap hurdle off mark of 130 in June and looked as though run would do him good when fair third at Fontwell four weeks ago. Chase debut and market may offer some clues to his prospects.

Form: 8/475-13

Forecasts

Pym (11/4), Third Wind (7/2), Erick Le Rouge (4/1), Whatmore (9/2), Cotswold Way (8/1), Deyrann de Carjac (16/1), El Presente (25/1), Zubayr (25/1), Eskendash (40/1), Boldmere (50/1)

A crop of talented hurdlers go chasing here, many for the first time and this should be a very informative contest. PYM is a very marginal choice having always looked as though this would be his game. Erick Le Rouge could be a massive danger having improved markedly over timber last term and he's already scored over fences, while both Cotswold Way and Third Wind also did very well over hurdles last term. Deyrann de Carjac took well to fances when winning at Cartmel in the spring, while Eskendash and El Presente are other very interesting contenders.