13:31 Huntingdon

Thursday 6 February 2020

All13:0013:3114:0114:3115:0515:4016:12

Betway Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 6m 13.40s

Master Card²⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

25/1

Lightly-raced over hurdles, hasn't really gone on from some promising form in maidens in two handicaps. Stays this trip no problems and should be able to make a mark over fences before too long.

Form: 7/4203P-

Jet Set⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| C| D

7/1

Hurdles winner here in 2018; mare failed to complete in first three starts over fences. Finished third at Musselburgh (2m4½f, good to soft) in December on latest attempt but still remains with work to do in the jumping department.

Form: 45U5-F3

Midnight Moss¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 114

4/1

Fairly consistent at modest level in five-race hurdles career, could have a say now switching to this sphere and well worth market check.

Form: 32/1423

Just So Cool²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 112| C

9/1

One win and five placed efforts from 11 starts over hurdles, including runner-up recently at Doncaster. First time tackling fences and should get involved if taking to this discipline.

Form: 3145/B2

Telson Barley^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 112| D

10/1

Won on return at Warwick in May over hurdles, and good second at Kelso on penultimate start. Ran poorly last time, but has the physique for chasing, and no shock to see him bounce back after short break.

Form: 3-14P20

Thomas Shelby⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 110| CD

9/4

Modest hurdler, already faring better over fences. Scored over C&D in December on good to soft ground; 7lb higher after a break since and likely has part to play again.

Form: 3/123-P1

Footloose^t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 109WS

9/1

Promise in maiden hurdles at up to 2m6f, though ran poor race at Uttoxeter in November on handicap debut in that sphere. Off since and market should be sound guide now going over the larger obstacles.

Form: 4-437

Gray Day³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107

20/1

Won a couple of novice hurdles in 2016/17 but has missed chunks of time since; percentage call is to oppose on second start over fences.

Form: 5/0P-7U6

Loud As Lions^p1,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: T Symonds| OR: 105WS

17/2

Made most when winning by 10L in a 3m1f novices' handicap chase at Hereford (soft) in a first time tongue tie (retained since) in November; pulled up both starts afterwards (lead contested) and plenty to prove on back of wind op; cheekpieces added.

Form: 6-331PP

Leskinfere⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J R Cornwall| OR: 101

20/1

Decent third at Leicester in December in similar race represented standout effort in 11 starts and could ask no more than second of third behind Itchy Feet (won Grade 1 Novices' Chase on Saturday) over shorter next time; of some interest now.

Form: P7-2432

Forecasts

Thomas Shelby (9/4), Midnight Moss (4/1), Jet Set (7/1), Loud As Lions (17/2), Footloose (9/1), Just So Cool (9/1), Telson Barley (10/1), Gray Day (20/1), Leskinfere (20/1), Master Card (25/1)

Plenty with chances here but there should be more to come from December's C&D winner THOMAS SHELBY despite his 7lb higher mark. He had more in hand than the winning margin suggested and the fifth has won since. He's capable of further progress in this sphere. Chasing newcomers Midnight Moss and Just So Cool need close scrutiny while Leskinfere has claims on his penultimate Leicester start and can easily be forgiven a distant second back there since given the winner landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last weekend.