McCoy Contractors 2020 Construction News-Awards Finalist Hampton Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 7.1s

Ardlethen⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

9/2

Benefited from a rival's mistake at the last when winning at Chepstow on chase debut but has failed to build on that run since and particularly disappointing in a three-runner affair at Newbury last time. Will need more to win this.

Form: 118-123

Highest Sun²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 142

15/8

Stayed on well for third behind Champ at Newbury on chase debut and improved again to finish runner-up behind Pym at Ascot. Jumped well when winning a match race at Plumpton subsequently and rates as an exciting prospect.

Form: 10-3321

Hold The Note^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: M R Channon| OR: 133

10/1

A winner over hurdles but didn't look like a natural over fences when making mistakes at Ludlow on chase debut. Had excuses when badly hampered and pulled up at Kempton on Boxing Day but still has plenty to prove at this level.

Form: 4312-3P

Roll Again¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142| BF| D

8/1

Improved from his debut for this yard to win at Ludlow but has had issues with his jumping on each of his three chase starts and blundered badly at Kempton on Boxing Day when last seen. No doubt he's talented but rates as a risky prospect for now.

Form: 55-041F

Two For Gold³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 140

3/1

Stayed on gamely when winning at Carlisle on chase debut and showed similar grit to hang on at Kelso last time, despite the occasional jumping error. May need more in this company but plenty to like about his attitude.

Form: 4114-11

Whatmore³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 139| C

9/1

Useful over hurdles and bolted up when long odds on for his chase debut back in May. Hasn't jumped all that well in two starts this winter though and others preferred.

Form: 772-134

Zara Hope^b,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 118| D

50/1

Wide margin winner of a mares' chase at Cheltenham in December but no obvious signs she's ready to mix at this level; more exposed than most and others rate as more appealing prospects.

Form: 63-5211

Forecasts

Highest Sun (15/8), Two For Gold (3/1), Ardlethen (9/2), Roll Again (8/1), Whatmore (9/1), Hold The Note (10/1), Zara Hope (50/1)

Only 3lb separates five of these on Official Ratings but there's a good chance HIGHEST SUN is a fair bit better than what he's shown so far and he rates as the most appealing proposition in what has to be considered a trappy contest. Roll Again would be a threat if he sorts his jumping out while Two For Gold has a likable attitude and has done little wrong in his two starts over fences.