Betway Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 4m 33.0s

Ibleo²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118| D

1/1

Returning from over two years off the track and wind surgery when winning by 4L in a novices' handicap chase over an extended 1m7f at Wincanton (soft) three weeks ago. Bold show expected despite an 8lb rise in the weights.

Form: 7198/1

Little Light^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 118| D

6/1

Making her first start since wind surgery when winning by a head at Leicester (2m, soft) at the end of December. Fair 9L third over an extended 2m at Fakenham (good-to-soft) subsequently and likely more needed in this contest.

Form: 527413

Wenceslaus²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 117| D

3/1

Winner of three of his last four starts including by 9½L in a 2m1f novices' handicap chase at Plumpton (heavy) last time out. Raised 10lb for that success and holds strong claims of completing a hat-trick on this occasion.

Form: 3-31211

Fanzio^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 118| D

10/3

Returning from a break when finishing runner-up in a four runner 2m novices' handicap chase at Carlisle (soft) earlier this month. Races off the same mark here and market support would be notable.

Form: 3-217F2

Non-Runners

All Is Good¹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: R Dickin J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Ibleo (1/1), Wenceslaus (3/1), Fanzio (10/3), Little Light (6/1), All Is Good (16/1)

WENCESLAUS has been in great form so far this campaign and he can register his fourth victory of the season by taking the concluding novices' handicap chase. The selection has the trip and forecast underfoot conditions to suit and he can get the better of his four rivals with Ibleo, an impressive winner on his return from a lengthy absence capable of finishing runner-up ahead of Fanzio who placed second on his most recent start.