Marston's 61 Deep Mares' Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 6m 34.15s

Ballybough Nora¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 115| D

5/2

Broke her maiden over hurdles two runs ago when she prevailed at Newton Abbot (3m2½f). She was unable to follow that up at Exeter (2m7f) last time out. Will be in the mix here if she takes to fences.

Form: 43541-7

Betterlatethanneva^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 70

50/1

A point-to-point winner but has yet to score in 14 races under Rules. Her last appearance was in a 3m1f handicap hurdle at Plumpton where she was fourth of seven. Difficult to make a case for her on her chase debut.

Form: 53/P-454

Midnight Tune^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 131

4/9

A three-time winner over hurdles. She is still looking for her first success over fences after three starts, however, she has come close, including last time at Fontwell (2m5½f) when she was second of six. The one to beat.

Form: 410/2F-2

The Toojumpa²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 107

11/1

Broke her maiden over hurdles at Bangor (2m7f) in December 2018. Has not followed that up since. She was last of nine runners at Southwell (2m4½f) on her latest outing. Set for her chase debut here. Best to watch.

Form: 5/01P6-9

Non-Runners

Royal Claret¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: T Symonds J: James Nixon

Forecasts

Midnight Tune (4/9), Ballybough Nora (5/2), Royal Claret (6/1), The Toojumpa (11/1), Betterlatethanneva (50/1)

MIDNIGHT TUNE sets the standard here and this looks a great chance for the former hurdles winner to break her maiden over fences at the fourth attempt. Ballyborough Nora has to be fancied to be in the mix at the finish on her chase debut on the basis of her form over hurdles, while Royal Claret has yet to shine over fences, however, she is off a mark which gives her a good chance of being close by.