MansionBet Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:58 | Winning time: 5m 17.50s

Bbold³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120

5/1

Twice a Warwick winner over hurdles (2m5f), having done the vast majority of his racing on a sound surface; could strip marginally fitter for a recent run (Doncaster); first attempt over the larger obstacles.

Form: 61-2127

Destin D'Ajonc¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

16/1

Once with Yannick Fouin (France) and Gordon Elliott (Ireland); has shown glimmers of positive form over hurdles this season; comfortably out of his depth when finishing last of four on chasing debut at Leicester (2m, heavy) a fortnight ago.

Form: 60/6364

Barrowlands^p1⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 116WS

6/1

Made all when off the mark at the second attempt under rules at Sedgefield (2m4f maiden hurdle) in November; flopped on handicap debut (Uttoxeter); has had wind surgery (& wears cheekpieces) for his chasing debut; retains scope.

Form: 222-314

Destinee Royale²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 112

5/2

Lightly raced mare; winner of a soft ground Towcester bumper on debut in April 2018; has tended to front-run over hurdles (0-3); market a helpful guide ahead of her chasing debut; her stable are firing in plenty of winners of late.

Form: 1/3-24

Mick Manhattan^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: S Thomas| OR: 111

9/4

Ffos Las bumper winner (April 2018); consistent over hurdles, albeit without winning (0-7); led until weakening from the second last when a 10L runner-up to Main Fact at Ffos Las (2m, soft) latest; chasing debut.

Form: 7-43532

Bestiarius¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas| OR: 107

8/1

Historically has shown his best form at Newcastle (for Keith Reveley and Gillian Boanas); finished a respectable 25L fourth to Destined To Shine on chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) 18 days ago.

Form: U3/5824

Non-Runners

Hope's Wishes¹³

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: F Brennan J: Dave Crosse

Forecasts

Mick Manhattan (9/4), Destinee Royale (5/2), Bbold (5/1), Barrowlands (6/1), Bestiarius (8/1), Destin D'Ajonc (16/1), Hope's Wishes (25/1)

A race which features a distinct lack of available chasing form with which to base a solid judgement, with the four most interesting horses in the line-up (Bbold, Barrowlands, Mick Manhattan and DESTINEE ROYALE) all newcomers to fences. Therefore, a cautious approach is adopted. Of that quartet, Bbold is opposed (rain-softened ground) while it's noted that Barrowlands is returning from wind surgery. Both Mick Manhattan and Destinee Royale are known as prominent racers, and the verdict narrowly sways to the least exposed of the pair for the in-form Herefordshire handler Venetia Williams.