mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 38.9s

Poker Play^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 138

11/2

Winner at Ffos Las last time (testing conditions) starting out on his second spell of chasing at last matching his useful hurdles form (beat a next time out winner). Has raced over further but both wins for this yard have come at 2m4f.

Form: 3P210-1

Redzor^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

14/1

Irish point-to-point/hurdles winner who got off the mark on his chasing debut after seven months off at Fakenham over 3m. Jumped well for the most part (drew clear from three out; won 21L); form has its faults, deserves to be considered though.

Form: 35127-1

Wholestone^p1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 151| BF| CD

13/8

Course specialist over hurdles (smart form) who opened his chasing account in a Perth match before being set a far tougher test over C&D. Lost nothing in defeat (went down a neck, under a penalty); form yet to be tested; leading player.

Form: 2950-12

Aaron Lad²¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 139| CD

40/1

Useful hurdler who has shown some good form at this venue but is set a very stiff examination for his chasing debut. Hurdles rating would put him on a par with all bar Wholestone, lack of chasing experience (only debutant) may just hold him back.

Form: P/61106-

Aye Aye Charlie²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135

5/1

Shown some smart form over hurdles occasionally despite coming up short at graded level. Well-backed on his C&D chasing debut his jumping held him back somewhat (work to do with Wholestone); may need some time/more experience over fences.

Form: 21668-5

Minella Warrior^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 138| D

9/2

Winning hurdler; has already undergone two wind operations but does look the part for chasing, proved that point on his C&D debut (competing against three of today's rivals. Third then he's open to progress; may well benefit from real stamina test.

Form: 11421-3

Rockpoint²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 133| CD

15/2

Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle here last December; never really quite fired over hurdles after that (given some hard tasks). Made his chasing debut over C&D (post wind op) finishing fourth in amongst three of today's rivals; should build on that outing.

Form: 14607-4

Forecasts

Wholestone (13/8), Minella Warrior (9/2), Aye Aye Charlie (5/1), Poker Play (11/2), Rockpoint (15/2), Redzor (14/1), Aaron Lad (40/1)

The C&D novice chase from the opening meeting here last month may hold the key to this with the four that followed home the winner (Mulcahys Hill) all turning out again. Wholestone was the best placed of that quartet in second carrying a penalty for his Perth match win and he’s sure to run well again with his yard still in good form. However, the conditions may MINELLA WARRIOR who has 6L to make up on his conqueror but will get a real test of stamina this time around and is a taken to turn the tables. Rockpoint and Aye Aye Charlie also represent that form but Redzor is preferred to that pair despite the flimsy nature of the Fakenham form his win at that venue was gained in good style.