Esther Sidgwick Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 4m 30.80s

Saint Freule^h³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122| CD

15/8

Headstrong front-runner who finally came good by winning a couple of races over hurdles here last season (2m); has no doubt taken plenty from his chasing debut at Sedgefield (2m) and this is easier, but isn't a horse to trust implicitly.

Form: 67113-3

Generalisation⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas| OR: 114

25/1

11-race maiden; raced four times over fences in Ireland for Henry De Bromhead (best run over 2m at Tramore); makes his first start on these shores since joining Gillian Boanas for £8,500 in September.

Form: 4F5047

First Account³²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114

6/4

Point winner for Colin Bowe (Belclare); solid form over hurdles early last season for Donald McCain (beaten just under 6L by Al Dancer at Carlisle); no surprise whatsoever if he makes a winning chasing debut in the Straightline silks.

Form: 1/32-

Oscar Wilde¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 110

3/1

Placed on four occasions over hurdles at Newcastle (2m-2m4f) and should draw benefit from his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle; is thought likely to do better over fences with time; stable have made a very slow start to the season.

Form: 37333-7

Muroor^b1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 109| BF

14/1

Beat I'm An Izz Wizz by a head when winning at Downpatrick (2m3f, good) in August; sports blinkers on debut for Victor Thompson, and this race looks to be fairly competitive overall; 11lb above that winning mark.

Form: 183625

Non-Runners

Ain't My Fault²⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: S Mulqueen

Forecasts

First Account (6/4), Saint Freule (15/8), Oscar Wilde (3/1), Ain't My Fault (5/1), Muroor (14/1), Generalisation (25/1)

The in-form Lucinda Russell is doubly represented with Saint Freule and Ain't My Fault. The former is a headstrong individual who has taken time and effort in order to unlock his undoubted ability. Twice successful here over hurdles, he can be expected to be wiser for his recent Sedgefield chasing debut (was in deep) and with a clear round should really be there or thereabouts. However, the preferred option is the winning pointer FIRST ACCOUNT. He showed promise over hurdles early last season, and as one of four horses in the Straightline ownership at his trainers Cheshire base, he appeals as the type to kick on positively now introduced to regulation fences.