Betway Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 6.43s

Commanche Red⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: C Gordon| OR: 150| CD

7/4

Off the mark at the third time of asking over fences when winning by 9L in a novices' handicap chase over this C&D on soft ground in December. One to note stepping up in grade.

Form: 31P-331

Erick Le Rouge⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 141| CD

8/1

Put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him when winning over this C&D on good-to-soft ground last time out. Likely more needed if he is to follow up in this contest.

Form: 1P-1571

Master Tommytucker^t⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| C

9/4

Winner of a 2m2f event on chase debut here in November and was still in front when falling four out in a Grade 1 over 3m here in December. Leading contender dropping in trip though hood worn on both previous starts over fences is left off.

Form: 11/F-1F

Pistol Whipped²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| BF| D

16/1

Winner over an extended 2m6f at Leicester (good-to-soft) in December and was an early casualty when falling over the same C&D on his only subsequent start. Of interest for a leading stable.

Form: 231P-1F

Southfield Stone²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| C| D

5/1

Returning from a short break when winning over this trip at Musselburgh (good-to-soft) at the start of this month. Hails from a top stable and is an interesting runner once more.

Form: 17-2231

Who Dares Wins^p⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 147| BF

10/1

Finished runner-up on both starts since switched to fences including when beaten a neck at short odds over an extended 2m3f at Plumpton (soft) early last month. Closely matched with Master Tommytucker on their runner here in November.

Form: 3353/22

Queen's Magic^t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130| D

40/1

Victorious in a novice chases restricted to mares over 2m4f at Huntingdon (good-to-soft) on chase debut in November but unseated rider in a Listed contest subsequently. Others make more appeal.

Form: 3-1141U

Forecasts

Commanche Red (7/4), Master Tommytucker (9/4), Southfield Stone (5/1), Erick Le Rouge (8/1), Who Dares Wins (10/1), Pistol Whipped (16/1), Queen's Magic (40/1)

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this race eight times in the last 12 years and his MASTER TOMMYTUCKER is taken to provide the handler with a victory in this years renewal. The selection still held claims when coming down in Grade 1 company here on his most recent outing and he can get the better of his rivals here with Commanche Red, a C&D winner on his latest outing capable of getting the better of Who Dares Wins in the battle for second spot,