Betway Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 6m 25.15s

Warendorf³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 104

5/2

Wetherby scorer (2m3f, soft) last month and backed that up with another good effort at Carlisle (2m), after a 6lb rise. Nudged up another 4lb and tackling a much longer trip, but still looks a serious contender.

Form: 9-44312

High Noon^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103| C

15/8

Dropped markedly in the weights and well backed before landing a 2½m handicap chase here earlier in the month. Strong at the finish for that easy win, and well worth a try at this trip.

Form: 58-7P51

Mr Jacaranda^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: A J Martin| OR: 100

8/1

Soundly beaten in two chase starts last month, and makes little appeal on that basis, but worth a market check given shrewd yard has seen fit to send him over from Ireland.

Form: 004008

Emirat De Catana¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 100| D

9/1

Winner over hurdles at Perth in May, and in second place when falling at the last on chase debut at Kelso. Hasn't gone on after that experience, though, and others appear stronger on balance.

Form: 4-18F45

Buckled¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 94| CD

9/2

Twice a winner over hurdles here, and well treated on form of those wins, but below best of late, and he's failed to match his hurdles form in several previous attempts over fences.

Form: 3P2-975

Mill Island¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 92

33/1

Failed to complete on both starts in Irish point-to-points, and has achieved little in three qualifying runs over hurdles. May do better, but opening mark demands huge improvement.

Form: PU680

Lady London^p,t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 91| CD

22/1

Just 2lb higher than when winning at Perth in September, but this is a stronger contest, and she comes here having run poorly over C&D at the start of the month.

Form: 42P-14P

Forecasts

High Noon (15/8), Warendorf (5/2), Buckled (9/2), Mr Jacaranda (8/1), Emirat De Catana (9/1), Lady London (22/1), Mill Island (33/1)

HIGH NOON landed a gamble when winning over 2½m here last time, and strong at the finish for that success, he appeals as being able to show similar form at this longer trip. Warendorf is also stepping up in trip, but promises to stay and is much respected. An eye needs to be kept on the market for Mr Jacaranda, for all his efforts to date have been poor.