12:45 Newbury

Friday 29 November 2019

All12:1512:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 3m 59.85s

Southfield Stone^p1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| D

5/1

Won the Grade 2 Dovecote over hurdles in February (2m, good) but chasing career hasn't really set alight so far. latest effort came when 4L second to smart horse at Taunton (2m2f) this month. This is easier despite being 5lb out of the handicap.

Form: 3217-22

Champagne City²⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 137| DWS

16/1

Winner in class 2 company over hurdles and was hitting the crossbar last season before pulling up in the Swinton Hurdle (2m) when last seen. Not seen since and makes chase debut in this, but looks to need better ground.

Form: 43422-P

Khage⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 135| BF| D

6/1

Progressive front-runner in novice hurdles last season, taking two contests at Chepstow on the bounce in good style before left jumps and scratchy errors hindered him on chase debut at Carlisle (2m). Jumping needs to improve.

Form: 17211-5

Fanion D'estruval¹⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

6/1

Winner of four of his five starts in the provinces in France, and made it a hat-trick of wins with 7L win in 2m1f Auteuil chase in July. Unexposed sort and makes British debut for yard who do well with chasers.

Form: 17-111

Encore Champs³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127| D

6/1

Three times a winner last year who looks to have the scope to improve over fences but sloppy jumping left him with no chance of catching the winner at Fakenham (2m) last month. Entitled to improve.

Form: 17178-2

Sully D'Oc Aa²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127| D

7/1

Progressive performer in France but not fired in two starts in Britain to date, pulling up on his debut before 17L sixth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) earlier this month. Probably best watched at the moment.

Form: 1211/P-6

West To The Bridge^h,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

7/2

Won twice over hurdles last season but jumps starts have been riddled by errors so far, including when 10L second at Wetherby (2m) at the start of the month. Will be better when jumping holds sway.

Form: 3719-42

The Flying Sofa¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124| D

11/2

Short priced winner of novice hurdle at the end of last season and ran modestly in two chase starts, including 8L fourth at Sandown (2m) last time out. Place claims on that form but may need a sounder surface.

Form: 2021-24

Forecasts

West To The Bridge (7/2), Southfield Stone (5/1), The Flying Sofa (11/2), Fanion D'estruval (6/1), Khage (6/1), Encore Champs (6/1), Sully D'Oc Aa (7/1), Champagne City (16/1)

KHAGE was eye-catching and impressive with his two easy novice hurdle wins towards the end of last season and while he was disappointing at Carlisle last time, he should be more suited to going left-handed and is entitled to improve on his jumping in this contest. Southfield Stone sets the form standard but is wrong at the weights in this which could hinder his chance, while the likes of Fanion D'estruval and West To The Bridge remain unexposed over fences, including the former who could be dark horse coming from France.