Fitzdares Crosseys Jockey Coaching Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 6m 3.1s

Slate House^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 153| BF| D

4/5

Held every chance when falling two out in the BetVictor Gold Cup last time after some indifferent leaps. He won impressively in novice company the time before and back in calmer waters here; tries 3m for the first time since pointing success.

Form: 4528-1F

Battys Dilemma²⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| D

80/1

Won an Irish point on debut in January 2017 (soft) and cost £60,000 for connections. Returned from 22-month absence when pulling up at Carlisle (2m3½f, soft) in a novices' hurdle. Yard been quiet in recent weeks and best watched for now.

Form: 1/P-

Breaking Waves¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: Noel Williams| OR: 129| C

7/2

Unbeaten in two runs here (bumper/hurdle) and ran well at Newbury and Cheltenham in recent starts in handicap company. Pulled up early on in a Grade 3 contest at Haydock (3m½f) two weeks ago and now makes his chasing debut.

Form: 3614-4P

Encounter A Giant²⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: L Treadwell| T: A Ralph| D

25/1

Brings a record of 3/7 in British points to this, his rules and chasing debut. Shouldn't have a problem with jumping or the trip but hard to know how that pointing form will translate to this race, given the ability of some of his rivals.

Form: P1U12/1-

Sizing Cusimano²⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 122

20/1

Won twice over hurdles last season (2m4½f/2m7½f) but pulled up in three of his last four starts. Obviously not one to rely on but from a family of winning chasers (half-brother to Kayfleur) and may have more to offer on first chasing start.

Form: 15P1PP-

Tarada²⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 130

7/2

Showed good form last season, splitting two decent rivals on hurdling debut before winning easily at Fontwell (2m3½f). Half-brother to 3m1f winner whilst his dam was a bumper/hurdle/chase winner (2m-3m). Longer trip a plus and a fascinating runner.

Form: 221-

Forecasts

Slate House (4/5), Tarada (7/2), Breaking Waves (7/2), Sizing Cusimano (20/1), Encounter A Giant (25/1), Battys Dilemma (80/1)

It has looked like SLATE HOUSE has begun to build on his early promise this season. This is significantly easier than last time out and whilst he has the best form, he will have to iron out the jumping errors that littered his latest run before he fell. Tarada showed a great deal of promise in three runs last season and he is bred to be a three-mile chaser. He is open to further improvement and is the danger to Slate House. Breaking Waves, meanwhile, has a good record here, has steadily improved in recent starts and has the ability to make a splash in this sphere.