bet365 Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 6m 36.80s

Buddha Scheme^t,v⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 115

12/1

Something must have gone amiss when he posted a well below-par effort at Carlisle (3m2f; good to soft). Caused a 40-1 surprise when winning on chase debut at Hexham (3m; soft) before that. Difficult task off top-weight however.

Form: 459-417

Stoney Rover^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 113

6/1

Runner-up to the in-form Charlie Snow Angel over 2m4f at this track last month. That was easily the best race he has run over fences since going chasing. A reproduction of that would make him one of the leading players.

Form: 44-P4F2

Cash To Ash^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 112| BF

5/2

Still a maiden over fences after five attempts but would surely have broke his duck if it wasn't for falling at the last at Wetherby (3m; soft) recently. Major claims if none the worse, and could set the record straight in this contest.

Form: 523-P2F

Overawed²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 110

10/3

One of very few in here without questions to answer after things seemed to have click over fences recently. Followed up Uttoxeter (2m6f; soft) win with a similarly comfortable success at Ludlow (3m; soft). Up 9lb but a huge player in hat-trick bid.

Form: 2534-11

Apollo Creed³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 109

11/1

Makes stable debut for new connections after recently leaving Evan Williams. Was entitled to need a couple of runs after a fair chunk of time off, so it is concerning connections still sold him. Market vibes the best guide to his chance.

Form: 3167/P4

Hastrubal^p1¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 108

9/4

0-16 under rules, and has already had one try over fences at the start of the year when tailed off at Uttoxeter (3m; soft) for former yard. This is easier compared to what he has been running in. Yard are in-form but he has a bit to prove.

Form: 64-7424

Forecasts

Hastrubal (9/4), Cash To Ash (5/2), Overawed (10/3), Stoney Rover (6/1), Apollo Creed (11/1), Buddha Scheme (12/1)

The John Groucott-trained Overawed is in the form of her life at present and is now chasing a hat-trick after wins at Uttoxeter and Ludlow. She is 15lb higher than for the first of those victories, but is foolish to discount and is without doubt a leading player. Stoney Rover has only had the three starts over fences, and has claims if building on his most recent effort when bumping into one at the Fighting Fifth meeting at this track last month. However, the vote goes to CASH TO ASH who looked sure to gain his first win over the bigger obstacles until coming down at the final fence at Wetherby recently. This looks a weaker race on paper which can allow him to gain compensation.