Jumping For Joy On Racing TV Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 7.00s

Saint Sonnet⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

1/5

Handed handicap mark of 145 based on useful French form and appears to have plenty in hand of his rivals at this level on British bow. Handles testing ground and will be hard to beat with a clear round.

Form: 1-11563

Crixus's Escape³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas| OR: 124

9/1

3-8 over hurdles in soft ground at up to 2m4f but didn't look a natural over fences when jumping ponderously on chase bow over C&D last month. May have learned plenty from that but but needs to jump more fluently.

Form: 431-455

Duc De Grissay³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115

10/1

Fair third penultimate start in Newcastle 2m6f novice hurdle and may have found 3m too far on handicap hurdle bow when fourth at Haydock last month. Type to take to fences but faces stiff task on chasing bow.

Form: 2/3F434

Exit To Where^p,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107

28/1

Modest 15-race maiden who stays up to 3m and handles easy ground. Not beaten at all far when fourth in Musselburgh novices handicap chase last time but faces potentially better opposition this time and has plenty to find.

Form: 3U2P34

On A Promise⁷⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 115

16/1

Progressive young hurdler couple of season ago winning 3-4 in 2017/18 season. Long absent and returns here following nearly two years on the sidelines. Hails from fine yard and will have been well schoooled for chasing bow so worth a market check.

Form: 751121/

Forecasts

Saint Sonnet (1/5), Crixus's Escape (9/1), Duc De Grissay (10/1), On A Promise (16/1), Exit To Where (28/1)

SAINT SONNET makes his British debut having achieved plenty in his native France. He is a classy performer who handles the expected underfoot conditions and it will be disappointing if he can't make a winning start for the champion trainer. Duc de Grissay may well take to this game and should win a race or two so could be the principal beneficiary should the selection fail to deliver, while the long absent On A Promise was going the right way when last seen but his fitness has to be taken on trust on this chasing bow. Crixus's Escape had a good strike rate over hurdles but struggled on chase debut last time. Much more is required here.